HFX Wanderers FC could not find a goal against FC Edmonton on Labour Day, with the two teams splitting points after a 0-0 affair at Wanderers Grounds compounded by a lack of clear opportunities, and a late penalty shout.

What looked to be an exciting start to the match quickly turned into an ineffective chess match, with an Akeem Garcia header off a set piece routine testing Connor James just before the half-time mark to provide the only real moment of danger in this particular encounter.

In fact, Edmonton registered just one shot over 94 minutes of play, coming just before the full time whistle by Oumar Diouck, who also picked up his fourth yellow card and will thus be suspended 14 days from today.

Related Reading: HFX, Eddies leave Wanderers Grounds wanting for more

HFX manager Stephen Hart attempted to claw a result out of this deadlock with a trio of substitutes in one go, bringing Luis Alberto Perea, Zachary Sukunda, and Zela Langwa on to try and find a goal, and while the Wanderers out-shot the Eddies 15-1, all while registering seven corners to Edmonton’s 0.

A last-gasp tug by James on Garcia drew penalty shouts from the crowd in Halifax, but the referee was having none of it, leaving Hart and his opposite Jeff Paulus sharing little but a handshake at the final whistle.

HFX Wanderers FC returns to action on Sept. 15 with a Sunday showdown against Forge FC at Tim Hortons Field (2:00 p.m. AT, 1:00 p.m. ET, available on OneSoccer). Meanwhile, Edmonton must now turn its focus to a midweek clash against Albertan rivals Cavalry FC at Clarke Field (Sept. 11 at 7:00 p.m. MT/9:00 p.m. ET, available on OneSoccer).

Box Score

Goals
None

Discipline
11′ Yellow – Juan Diego Gutierrez (HFX Wanderers FC)
13′ Yellow – Oumar Diouck (FC Edmonton)
25′ Yellow – Alex De Carolis (HFX Wanderers FC)

Three Key Performers

Akeem Garcia (HFX Wanderers FC)

The only bright spot among the attacking options on both sides, Garcia tested the Eddies’ goalkeeper throughout the match, but particularly at the end of each half, nearly finding the back of the net with a header in the first, and probably deserving a penalty after being tugged down at the end of the second.

Connor James (FC Edmonton)

Had to face a flurry of shots unlike his opposite from HFX, but did well to keep mistakes at a minimum. Wasn’t truly tested or forced to make many saves, but made sure to do what he needed to in order to keep a clean sheet.

Andre Rampersad (HFX Wanderers FC)

Lead his team in passes from midfield, and was always available as an outlet to his teammates from a central midfield. While he wasn’t necessarily turning heads, his solid 90+ minute shift was noted on the stat sheet – and here as well.