HIGHLIGHTS: York United vs. Valour FC (June 26th, 2022)

Valour FC once again got the better of York United, this time 3-1 at York Lions Stadium. It was the Winnipeg outfit’s first win since the last time they played York back in mid-May.

Sean Rea, Moses Dyer and Alessandro Riggi all scored for Valour, while Osaze De Rosario had the consolation goal for York.

York United went on the offensive quickly, with Max Ferrari finding plenty of joy on the counterattack down the right side. His cross in the second minute found De Rosario at the back post, whose half-volley forced an early save out of Jonathan Sirois.

Valour countered with a brilliant buildup of their own in the eighth minute, when Riggi cut through the midfield and found Rea out wide. He then dummied Rea’s low return cross to find William Akio at the top of the box. Akio’s shot was well saved by Niko Giantsopoulos, however.

Giantsopolous came under attack again in the 12th minute, when Rea again broke in this time down the right and played a ball into the middle for Akio. Akio slid towards goal but caught Giantsopolous with a tackle. The York keeper remained down for several minutes but was able to continue.

Valour nearly found its way in again in the 28th minute, as Andrew Jean-Baptiste’s cross was deflected dangerously wide of the York net. Giantsopolous again struggled slightly to get up from the turf after the play.

Valour had another strong spell of pressure just before the half-time whistle, but was unable to break through a once again stingy York backline who made several strong clearances and blocks. The match went into the half tied 0-0.

Valour finally found a breakthrough 10 minutes into the second half. Jean-Baptiste made a strong tackle to break up York’s transition, and Rocco Romeo slid the ball into the path of Walter Ponce down the right side of the box. The Valour #9 cut towards the byline and delivered an excellent low cross that was smashed home by Riggi.

York responded almost immediately with their first goal in seven games. Ferrari found Chrisnovic N’sa cut down the right flank before delivering a ball into the box that found De Rosario alone, the striker made no mistake from in close to score his fourth goal of the season. He now has 58 per cent (4 of 7) of the goals scored for York United this season.

The right side of the attack was a threat all game from York, as a few minutes later Ferrari delivered a similarly dangerous ball across goal. De Rosario met it at the back post, but his cut back to Lisandro Cabrera was a little behind the York striker and he could not direct it goalwards.

Valour again took the lead, however, in the 72nd minute. Rea dropped a corner kick perfectly on the head of Dyer, who headed it past Giantsopoulos. Not to be outdone by De Rosario, it was Dyer’s fourth of the season.

The Winnipeg outfit added an insurance marker in the 89th minute. Brett Levis played Akio through over the top, who found Rea alone in the box. The young Valour attacker, known for his magnificent goals, needed only to smash this one home from close range.

BOX SCORE

Goals

51′ — Alessandro Riggi (Valour FC) 

52′ — Osaze De Rosario (York United) 

72′ — Moses Dyer (Valour FC) 

89′ — Sean Rea (Valour FC) 

Discipline

13′ — Yellow: William Akio (Valour FC) 

48′ — Yellow: Rocco Romeo (Valour FC) 

58′ — Yellow: Noah Verhoeven (York United) 

90′ + 3 – Yellow: Sean Rea (Valour FC)