HIGHLIGHTS: HFX Wanderers FC vs. Cavalry FC (May 15, 2022)

HFX Wanderers came mere seconds away from picking up their second-ever victory against Cavalry FC. But a last-second Daan Klomp goal rescued a point for the visitors, in a back and forth 2-2 affair.

All four goals came from set-pieces, as Myer Bevan opened the scoring for Cavalry in the first half, before Garcia equalized. Samuel Salter’s second-half volley off of a corner kick looked to be the difference before Klomp played hero.

Halifax had an early opportunity in the 6th minute when Salter was brought down just outside the Cavalry box. Cory Bent, who has shown himself to be dangerous from dead-ball situations earlier this season, couldn’t clear the wall on this occasion.

It was another set-piece, this time for Cavalry that opened the scoring in the 20th minute. Daan Klomp’s header off a corner kick was directed goalwards and changed directions off of Bevan. In net, Cristian Oxner took a wild swing at the ball but ended up deflecting it into his own net to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. After scoring a brace in the Canadian Championship midweek, it was Bevan’s third goal in two games.

Salter then had an incredible chance to equalize six minutes later. The young Halifax striker was played in behind the Cavalry backline, and forced keeper Marco Carducci to come out of his net. His strike across goal, however, was not quite precise enough, hitting the post.

Halifax continued to push, however, and found their equalizer in the 36th minute, also from a corner kick opportunity. Salter’s clever header off the turf connected with Peter Schaale who directed it off the crossbar. Garcia was on hand to calmly slot the ball home for his second goal of the season.

Salter across broke through just before halftime, showing some brilliant ball control to find himself open in the box. This time, Carducci was equal to his effort. That was the last real chance of the half, as the two sides were into the interval tied at a goal apiece.

Bent had a free-kick opportunity early in the second half, but once again the wall in front of Carducci did its job, forcing the Wanderers attacker to strike the ball high.

Minutes later, off yet another corner kick, Salter finally found his breakthrough. The ball drifted all the way through to him at the back post, where he showed excellent composure to slot it past Carducci.

Victor Loturi almost equalized immediately, as Ali Musse found him well with a cross in front of Oxner’s net, but the Cavalry midfielder could not direct the free header goalwards.

Musse then had a great chance for himself, as he latched onto an open ball in the box. His first shot was blocked before his second was saved well by Oxner.

Bevan was almost able to play hero again in the 76th minute as a recycled corner kick opportunity dropped to him at the backpost but could not keep his volley attempt down.

Halifax almost found some insurance in the dying moments, as substitutes Marcello Polisi and Ryan Robinson nearly combined but Robinson’s backheel attempt was well cut out by the Cavalry backline.

But on nearly the final play of the match, Klomp played hero. Off of a free-kick from Musse, the defender was able to get the last touch, directing it past Christian Oxner.

BOX SCORE

Goals

20′ — Myer Bevan (Cavalry FC)

36′ — Akeem Garcia (HFX Wanderers) 

60′ — Samuel Salter (HFX Wanderers) 

90′ — Daan Klomp (Cavalry FC) 

Discipline

1′ — Yellow Card: Victor Loturi (Cavalry FC)

48′ — Yellow Card: Eriks Santos (HFX Wanderers) 

74′ — Yellow Card: Zachary Fernandez (HFX Wanderers) 

79′ — Yellow Card: Elliot Simmons (Cavalry FC) 

87′ — Yellow Card: Charlie Trafford (Cavalry FC)