Final Score: York United 1-1 HFX Wanderers
Goalscorers: Ramirez 3′, Salter 79′
Game of the 2021 season: 52
CPL match: 187

Match in a minute or less

It was a tale of two halves in the 1-1 draw between York United and HFX Wanderers Wednesday. The Nine Stripes grabbed an opener after just three minutes through Osvaldo Ramirez while the Wanderers answered back through Samuel Salter after 79 minutes. Chances were abundant, however, as either team could have easily walked away with a multi-goal win – a missed opportunity as they scrap for a solid footing towards the CanPL playoffs.

Three Observations

Alex Marshall with several chances, potential red card

It’s hard not to talk about Wednesday’s match without mentioning Alex Marshall at least once – so we’ll get it out of the way here. The Jamaican midfielder had more than a handful of clear-cut chances including this one – but his most notable moment came in the 68th minute when he was taken down as the last man back. A yellow card was given to Jordan Wilson on the play but it could have easily been a red.

“What can I tell him – he had the chances,” Hart said of Marshall. “I thought that should have been a red card since he was the last man back and it was outside of the box.

“But that was the referee’s decision and I respect that.”

HFX, York rue numerous chances in brutal-yet-thrilling match at York Lions

Finishing was targeted by both teams before the match on this very website and, considering the number of chances created in the thrilling affair, that’s still the deciding factor.

From Marshall’s one-on-one to Sebastian Gutierrez’s last-minute open shot for the win, both teams will be ruing the chances created.

Halifax, who suffered a similar fate against Forge on the weekend, seemed the most affected by this snakebitten streak. “I think we’re probably focusing a bit too much on it right now,” Jeremy Gangnon-Lapare, who assisted on Salter’s goal, said after the match. “We’re playing too tight… It probably plays on our mind a bit.”

York goes five matches unbeaten

York United is CanPL’s in-form team despite the lackluster night in front of goal. Wednesday’s draw sees the team unbeaten in five matches – and in reach of 905 Derby rivals Forge FC for the fourth and final playoff spot.

It’s hard not to see this team as a confident bunch both in attack and defense – even as HFX began to grow into the game, with attacking players like Max Ferrari, Gutierrez, Alvaro Rivero, and Diyaeddine Abzi looking better and better every game.

Does York have enough to make the playoffs? Possibly. Wednesday’s result shows a team that can get continued results – something that’s needed going forward.

CanPL.ca Player of the Match

Jeremy Gagnon-Laparé, HFX Wanderers FC

It’s hard to look past HFX Wanderers’ utility man for this honour. Playing in numerous positions, Gagnon-Laparé led the team in key passes (five), touches (99), and set up the equalizer to Salter.

What’s next?

HFX Wanderers FC will now complete their all-Ontario road trip in the nation’s capital, visiting Atlético Ottawa Sunday afternoon (1:30pm ET/12:30pm AT). York United will hit the highway Saturday and go the opposite direction, Hamilton-bound to play their 905 Derby rivals Forge FC at Tim Hortons Field on Saturday (4pm ET). Watch all matches live on OneSoccer.