Forge FC picked up their fourth straight victory at York Lions Stadium, as they defeated rivals York United 3-0 in the first 905 derby of 2024.

Despite an outstanding home opener crowd, the away supporters were the ones who had a lot to cheer about on Sunday afternoon. A brace for David Choinière on either side of the second of the year for Béni Badibanga.

York started well, finding space down the flanks and forcing an early save out of Chris Kalongo on a Clément Bayiha strike from distance. The young Forge goalkeeper had to punch the ensuing corner kick over the net as well.

The hosts got in behind in the 16th minute, as Bayiha again broke down the right. His cross, however, was stopped from getting to Brian Wright for a tap-in centrally because of a brilliant last-second intervention from Forge’s Malik Owolabi-Belewu. The ball bounced around the box, but Kalongo was able to collect.

Forge had a great opportunity in the 20th minute as Tristan Borges played a brilliant ball into the box for Choinière, but the Forge attacker dragged his shot just wide of the left post. The visitors had a strong spell of play thereafter, as Borges and Choinière nearly connected again moments later.

In the 30th minute, Choinière got the better of Orlando Botello down the right flank and put in a great low cross into the box. Kyle Bekker looked like he would have a tap-in, but Noah Abatneh got down well to take the sting out of the shot from the Forge captain.

Forge finally found their moment just before half-time. Daniel Parra played a lovely ball into the box to Choinière, who snuck through the York backline and swivelled brilliantly to hit a strike across goal and give Forge a 1-0 lead with one of the last kicks of the half.

The Hamilton side similarly started the second half, taking the game to the hosts early. Just over five minutes into the half, York United coach Martin Nash changed his team, giving a home debut to 20-year-old midfielder Christian Zeppieri.

Forge added a second in the 62nd minute, through more brilliant attacking play. Parra found Borges in the box this time, who turned brilliantly and poked the ball out wide to Badibanga. The Forge winger showed outstanding composure and calmly finished his chance to give Forge a 2-0 lead.

A bit of a calamity at the back allowed Forge to add a third. Nyal Higgins was attempting to shield the ball over the end line, and it looked to have crossed it, but Borges got around him to poke it into the path of Choinière in the centre. Choinière made no mistake, scoring his second of the day and giving Forge a 3-0 lead, much to the delight of the visiting fans at York Lions Stadium.

The Nine Stripes pushed to get back in the match late, bringing on attacker Dennis Salanović for his York debut. But they were unable to give the home crowd a moment to cheer about.

This is the first time Forge have won the first two matches of a CPL season. The two sides will meet again on Wednesday, May 1 in the opening round of the 2024 Canadian Championship, this time at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton.

BOX SCORE

Lineups

York United: Vincensini, Ferrari, Abatneh, Higgins, Botello; Adekugbe (Martin-Pereux 80′), Martínez (Zeppieri 51′); Ricci (Salanović 80′) , Babouli, Bayiha (Voytsekhovskyy 62′); Wright 

Forge FC: Kalongo; Duncan (Schiavoni 88′), Achinioti-Jönsson, Owolabi-Belewu, Parra; Hojabrpour, Bekker (Jensen 73′), Borges (Kane 88′); Choinière, Badibanga (Poku 73′), Campbell (Hamilton 73′) 

Goals

45+1′ — David Choinière (Forge FC)
61′ — Béni Badibanga (Forge FC)
67′ — David Choinière (Forge FC) 

Discipline

19′ — Yellow: Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson (Forge FC)
55′ — Yellow: Béni Badibanga (Forge FC)
63′ — Yellow: Christian Zeppieri (York United)
64′ — Yellow: Tristan Borges (Forge FC)
90′ — Yellow: Khadim Kane (Forge FC)
90′ + 4 — Yellow: Kadin Martin-Pereux (York United)