Cavalry FC exacted some revenge on their historic competitive CanPL rival Forge FC Thursday, taking down the two-time defending champions 2-1 in their final match at The Kickoff, the single-site start to the 2021 season in Winnipeg, Man.
Forge bested the Cavs by a similar scoreline earlier in the bubble season opener, which formally ended for the two teams as they return to their home markets for the remainder of the season.
Anthony Novak opened the scoring after 12 minutes after finding himself through on goal, following a spirited header from Jose Escalante, with just one defender to beat. The Forge attacker calmly strided past his marker and slotted home his second goal in as many matches. Novak’s teammate Ali Musse, who also scored last time out against HFX Wanderers FC, converted off a smart layoff from Joe Di Chiara – leaving just a tap-in needed for some insurance.
Forge, feeling the effects of the grueling four-week schedule of The Kickoff, failed to generate much in the attacking third until the later stages when Mo Babouli converted a penalty, scoring following a good run of momentum in the match’s final stages.
Here are your sights and sounds for Thursday’s tilt.
GOAL ?
Guess who? Anthony Novak opens the scoring for @CPLCavalryFC against a familiar foe, as @ForgeFCHamilton go down 1-0 in this heavyweight bout#CanPL | ? https://t.co/hishXepRT3 pic.twitter.com/U9k7VJcL2k
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) July 23, 2021
GOAL ??@CPLCavalryFC go up 2-0 over @ForgeFCHamilton as Ali Musse and Joe Di Chiara carve apart the backline before the latter taps in his 2nd of the season#CanPL | ? https://t.co/hishXepRT3 pic.twitter.com/lYraFRGJhZ
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) July 23, 2021
86’ @ForgeFCHamilton 1-2 @CPLCavalryFC
Forge gets one back! Mo Babouli slots it home from the spot with under five minutes to play in regulation. #FORvCAV l ?: @onesoccer
pic.twitter.com/s1czYE36fj— CanPL (@CPLsoccer) July 23, 2021