Forge FC doubled up on York FC in the second 905 derby of the season with a big 2-0 victory, their first in three matches. Tristan Borges opened the scoring on a deflected strike in the first half, and Woobens Pacius doubled that lead late.
Forge had the bulk of early possession in the York half. They had a few good forays down the right flank, but no real opportunities as any of their crosses into the box were cut out well by a new-look York defensive pairing of Dom Zator and Tass Mourdoukoutas.
One such attack led to a free kick in a good area, in the 15th minute, but once again Borge’s cross was well cleared.
York showed the first glimpse of their dangerous counter-attack in the 18th minute as debutant Ronan Kratt broke down the left-wing, his clever ball inside found its way to Isaiah Johnston, who slipped it to Mateo Hernández. His strike was well over the net, however.
Kyle Bekker had another free-kick for Forge, this time more centrally, in the 22nd minute. He was unable to beat the wall, however. A few minutes later they broke forward again, a few moments later, but Emery Welshman’s strike was well-saved by Niko Giantsopoulos.
Forge finally found their breakthrough in the 29th minute, Borges took a shot from outside of the box which took a deflection on its way through, fooled Giantsopoulos, and found the back of the net.
The home side nearly replied shortly thereafter, Lisandro Cabrera found the ball through on goal but rushed his chance and was unable to put it on target. The match remained 1-0 at the half for Forge.
Bekker nearly doubled the score in the 50th minute, as his long strike caught the tips of Giantsopoulos’s fingers and hit the crossbar.
A threat throughout, Hernández had his third chance of the match in the 54th minute, this time off some good interplay starting from a Chrisnovic N’sa run forward. His shot, however, was dragged just wide.
N’sa again found his way forward in the 68th minute, this time whipping in a brilliant cross to Cabrera at the back post. The York striker, however, again put the ball over the net. Moments later, having moved forward from full-back to winger, Max Ferrari broke down the left, turned his man, and fired a cross that required a save from Triston Henry.
Looking to get his side back on the front foot, Bobby Smyrniotis made a triple substitution that including the removal of captain Bekker. This paid off nearly instantly, as a minute later Pacius added to the Forge lead. Borges played Morgan through, who’s cross was deflected by Giantsopoulos, but right into the path of Pacius who tapped home his fourth of the season to make it 2-0.
Every the derby, the two sides came together in the final moments, with complaints from both sides about fouls committed off the ball. Just a single yellow card was handed out, however. In the dying moments of the match, Henry made yet another brilliant save to continue to starve York of a much needed goal.
It was a ninth straight loss for York, who are still looking for their first win since the last time they played Forge on May 6.
BOX SCORE
Goals
29′ — Goal: Tristan Borges (Forge FC)
77′ — Goal: Woobens Pacius (Forge FC)
Discipline
36′ — Yellow: Tass Mourdoukotas (York United)
45′ — Yellow: Tristan Borges (Forge FC)
48′ — Yellow: Jordan Wilson (York United)
59′ — Yellow: Terran Campbell (Forge FC)
70′ — Yellow: Ashtone Morgan (Forge FC)
86′ — Yellow: Isaiah Johnston (York United)
90′ — Yellow: Mateo Hernández (York United)