Sixteen-year-old Shola Jimoh scored a crucial goal to give York United all three points in an ill-tempered game against Atlético Ottawa, who were forced to play 65 minutes of the game with 10 men, in this all-Ontario derby in the Canadian Premier League.

Jimoh’s goal may have come in the 70th minute, but someone even younger found the back of the net inside 30 seconds. Nine-year-old Damon Safavi, who was diagnosed with a rare form of polycystic kidney disease when he was a baby, was named honorary captain for both sides on the day, and was allowed to run unchecked through the York United lineup, slotting the ball home past Thomas Vincensini in goal. A touch of class from the hosts from northern Toronto.

Previous encounters between York and Atlético have been rather physical in nature, and the referee was keen to head off any robust challenges early in the game: Orlando Botello was booked as early as in the fourth minute for a foul. 

The first credible effort of the game came just before the 10th minute: Shola Jimoh thundered past the Ottleti midfield, sliding the ball into Brian Wright. Nate Ingham, though, was off his line in a flash to smother the shot before the Canadian striker, who is contention for the CPL golden boot, could power up a shot.

Ottawa would’ve come close to breaking the deadlock themselves in the 18th minute: Manny Aparicio’s throw-in eventually found Ollie Bassett lurking in the box. His scuffed shot was cleared only as far as the lurking Ruben Del Campo, who’s powerful effort goalwards was matched by Thomas Vincensini. 

The rivalry between Ontario’s provincial and national capitals has been steadily growing over the years: a 20th minute clash between Kris Twardek and Botello was testament to that, with the Ottleti man clotheslining his counterpart as the two of them challenged for a loose ball, with his flailing arm catching Botello in the neck. The referee was quickly on the scene before things could boil over, talking down both sets of players with the tension palpable in the air.

For Atlético, however, his words seemed to fall on deaf ears: just five minutes later, Liberman Torres headbutted Josué Martinez. The contact may not have been the heaviest, but the referee had no option but to send the Ecuadorian off, which meant the visitors had to play the remaining 65 minutes with 10 men. In response, Ottleti head coach Carlos Gonzalez switched to a 4-3-2 formation, instructing Amer Didic and Bassett to lead proceedings on the pitch.

Jimoh almost profited from the man advantage, ghosting in on the left and sending in a low cross, which Ty Walker was able to deflect onto the side netting before any further damage could be done. From the resulting corner, Max Ferrari was the recipient of a well-worked move. Ingham could only parry his shot in a crowded box, before Twardek cleared the ball into touch. 

With Atlético now consigning themselves to mainly defensive actions, York had much more space to operate in midfield. A good move from Baldisimo unleashed Ferrari, whose dangerous cross into the box was snuffed out by De Brienne. 

York United appeared to be inching closer to breaking the deadlock, and sensing the danger, Gonzalez made an early change, sacrificing striker Kevin dos Santos for defensive midfielder Ilias Iliadis, which meant Del Campo would be operating on his own up front. 

With the first half winding down, York continued to probe for a goal: a perfect ball played through to Brian Wright could’ve ended up in the net, only for a crucial block to deny him the opener. 

That was the last notable move of the first match, with both teams walking off the pitch to the sight of both benches exchanging strong words with each other in this feisty all-Ontario derby.

Gonzalez made a second sub at half-time, bringing on Aboubakar Sissoko for Tyr Walker, who’d done well in the first half to keep the Nine Stripes at bay, with the young defender feeling something in his hamstring at the break. 

Atlético seemed well-settled into their double-bolt defensive formation, with two banks of four players resorting to defensive mode to keep out York United, who were missing seven regulars going into this game. Ingham had precious little to do, with the visitors’ centre-backs particularly prolific at tracking and nullifying runners into the box. 

With the deadlock firmly unbroken, York made an attacking change on the hour mark, with Lichtensteiner Dennis Salanovic replacing Trivine Esprit.

Atletico had a rare chance to score one of their own from a 67th minute corner. Bassett prepared to launch the ball towards the capital side’s towering defenders, only for him to overhit the set-piece. Ruben del Campo had York United’s defenders backtracking rapidly just a minute later as he hared towards goal, only for the Swiss striker to scuff his chipped effort well wide.

Shola Jimoh, however, gave him a lesson in finishing in the 70th minute. The 16-year-old darted into the box, collecting a loose pass from Illiadis, twisted his way past two Atlético defenders, and curled an impeccable effort past Ingham to finally give his side the lead. 

Despite being a goal and a man down, Gonzalez was keen for his side to maintain an attacking edge: Ballou Tabla came on for Matteo de Brienne in the 79th minute. Immediately afterwards, York United brought on Santiago Marqez and Noah Abatneh for Josue Martinez and Orlando Botello.  

Tabla almost had the desired impact: in the 86th minute, he brilliantly flicked the ball over his marker while inside the box, before hopefully launching it across the face of goal in the hope that someone would connect. Ferrari hacked the ball clear before a player in red and white could capitalize.

With the seconds now ticking away, Gonzalez decided to give some game time to a couple more of his regulars who’d been benched for the day: Dani Morer and Samuel Salter replaced Aparicio and Bassett. 

Their presence mattered little, however: York United saw out the game to become the second team to reach 11 wins in this edition of the CPL.

BOX SCORE

Lineups

York United FC: Vincensini; Ferrari, Higgins, Leon, Botello (Abatneh 79′); Baldisimo, Martinez (Marquez 79′), Adekugbe; Esprit (Salanovic 60′), Jimoh, Wright

Atlético Ottawa: Ingham; De Brienne (Tabla 77′), Del Amo, Didic, Walker (Sissoko 46′), Twardek; Bassett (Morer 89′), Aparicio (Salter 89′), Torres; Del Campo, Dos Santos (Iliadis 39′)

Goals

70’ – Shola Jimoh (York United FC)

Discipline

4’ – Yellow: Orlando Botello (York United FC)
25’ – Red: Liberman Torres (Atlético Ottawa)
68’ – Yellow: Nyal Higgins (York United FC)
88’ – Yellow: Matthew Baldisimo (York United FC)
90+3′ – Yellow: Ilias Iliadis (Atlético Ottawa)