Sights and Sounds: Valour FC 1-0 Forge FC

2021-07-11

Marty Thompson, Digital Content Editor (@martythompson_)

A wonder goal from Austin Ricci was all that separated Valour FC from Forge FC Sunday afternoon.

Both sides entered with laundry lists of injuries and, as extreme heat sweltered the pitch at The Kickoff presented by Volkswagen, it made for a somewhat tame affair.

Forge winger Chris Nanco, who wore the captain’s armband, came the closest in the first half with a looping header cleared acrobatically off the line by Valour defender Andrew Jean Baptiste.

Austin Ricci broke the deadlock ten minutes after halftime with nothing short of a wonder strike. The centre forward pinged a shot off of the inside of the post from the top of the box, giving the hosts the advantage and left Hamilton in search of an equalizer.

Here are your sights and sounds for Sunday afternoon.

July 11, 2021. Valour FC vs Forge FC. Pre-Game. Keven Alemán and Moses Dyer of Valour FC stand during the playing of 'O Canada'. — July 11, 2021. Valour FC vs Forge FC. Pre-Game. Keven Alemán and Moses Dyer of Valour FC stand during the playing of ‘O Canada’.

July 11, 2021. Valour FC vs Forge FC. Pre-Game. Sean Rea of Valour FC takes part in the pre-game warm up.

July 11, 2021. Valour FC vs Forge FC. First-Half. Andy Baquero of Valour FC and Christopher Nanco of Forge FC battle for the ball.

July 11, 2021. Valour FC vs Forge FC. Pre-Game. Valour FC Head Coach Rob Gale shows his appreciation to supporters.

July 11, 2021. Valour FC vs Forge FC. Second-Half. William Akio of Valour FC shows supporters his excitement after teammate Austin Ricci's goal. — July 11, 2021. Valour FC vs Forge FC. Second-Half. William Akio of Valour FC shows supporters his excitement after teammate Austin Ricci’s goal.

July 11, 2021. Valour FC vs Forge FC. Half-Time. Austin Ricci of Valour FC leaves the pitch after a scoreless first-half.

56’ – @ValourFootball 1-0 @ForgeFCHamilton

A spectacular finish from @AustinRicci10 to give Valour the lead ?#VALvFOR l ?: @onesoccer
pic.twitter.com/N6geakBVFu

— CanPL (@CPLsoccer) July 11, 2021