HIGHLIGHTS: Valour FC vs Forge FC (June 16th, 2023)

For the first time since the opening day of the season, Valour FC picked up all three points, this time during an impressive 2-0 home victory against Forge FC.

Valour took an unexpected lead through an unanticipated culprit as Guillaume Pianelli opened the scoring in the 39th minute. Walter Ponce then added a second on a stunning volley in the 63rd to extend the Winnipeg side’s undefeated run at IG Field to 12 straight matches.

The first half hour of the match saw the hosts hold the majority of possession, moving the ball well through a new-look midfield trio that saw Kian Williams move centrally to join Juan Pablo Sanchez and Marcello Polisi. However, they were not able to find much joy in the attacking third — with Forge’s back three closing down opportunities quickly.

Forge, meanwhile, were dangerous in transition with Terran Campbell in particular finding himself in behind on multiple occasions. His shot in the 6th minute was stopped by Rayane Yesli before he skied another effort in the 23rd. In total, Forge managed six shot attempts during the opening 30 minutes, although Campbell’s aforementioned effort was the only one that found the target.

On their first shot attempt, however, Valour were clinical. An excellent out-swinging corner from Williams found the head of defender, who redirected the ball past Henry — the French defender’s first professional goal. Having been drafted by Forge last season, he did not make an appearance for the Hamilton club. The Winnipeg side then held the lead heading into the half for the first time this season.

Looking to switch things up at the half, Tristan Borges was brought into the match in favour of Campbell. Borges set up a golden opportunity just five minutes after his introduction, with a cleverly weighted cross into the Valour box that Kwasi Poku fired over the net.

The hosts, however, kept pressing, and added a second in the 63rd minute. After it looked like Jared Ulloa had been played too wide, the young midfielder readjusted and played a looping cross that Ponce smashed home with a stunning volley.

Shortly thereafter, Smyrniotis responded with a pair of substitutions, bringing on Woobens Pacius and Aboubacar Sissoko.

Forge had a number of late opportunities, with central defender Manjrekar James, interestingly, shifting into a forward position where he found himself in some good areas in front of goal. As has been the story for the Hamilton side lately, they were not nearly composed enough in front of goal, and when they were Yesli was once again equal to the task.

After leading the table for most of the early part of the season, Forge have now lost three of their last four matches. This was the Hamilton side’s first road loss of the season, however, and the first time they allowed more than a single goal in a match away from home in CPL action this year. They will be looking to rebound quickly as they face expansion side Vancouver FC, again on the road, on Tuesday.

BOX SCORE

Goals

39′ — Guillaume Pianelli (Valour FC)
63′ — Walter Ponce (Valour FC)

Discipline

38′ — Yellow: Rezart Rama (Forge FC)
60′ — Yellow: Dante Campbell (Valour FC)
90′ + 1 — Yellow: Eskander Mzoughi (Valour FC)