The reigning repeat champs showed a little rust while the local side demonstrated ruthlessness.

Valour FC blanked Forge FC 2-0 on Sunday afternoon at IG Field with goals coming from Moses Dyer and Austin Ricci. Despite fielding an impressive starting 11 — including a debut for former LAFC defender Dejan Jakovic and the return of 2019 MVP Tristan Borges — Forge looked a little lethargic out of the gate, but plenty of credit is also due to Rob Gale’s group as Valour started with loads of energy and capitalized on their opponent’s slow start to the contest.

It was a difficult start to life in the CPL for Jakovic as the veteran defender pulled down Ricci in the area after a lovely through ball from Daryl Fordyce. Dyer would step up and convert the spot-kick with conviction to give Valour an early 1-0 lead just six minutes in.

6’ – @ForgeFCHamilton 0-1 @ValourFootball

Moses Dyer puts Valour ahead from the spot to take the early lead.#FORvVAL l ?: @onesoccer
pic.twitter.com/FZVBRL9ogX

— CanPL (@CPLsoccer) June 27, 2021

Ricci’s work rate would continue to cause Forge defenders headaches in the opening half as his efforts in the press caused Daniel Krutzen to cough it up in a dangerous position before the 25-year-old Richmond Hill native doubled the Valour advantage in the 26th minute — the finish his first goal for the club.

26’ – @ForgeFCHamilton 0-2 @ValourFootball @AustinRicci10 takes it on himself and puts Valour up by two. #FORvVAL l ?: @onesoccer
pic.twitter.com/H6mqwyRCc7

— CanPL (@CPLsoccer) June 27, 2021

Content with the two-goal cushion going into the break, Valour showed a solidity at the back as Forge enjoyed the majority of possession in the second half, albeit largely not in threatening areas. Bobby Smyniotis would get some life out of his substitutes — particularly Chris Nanco — after a quiet showing from Borges and the rest of the Hammers’ attacking core in the opening hour.

Ultimately, their play in the final third lacked the sort of fluidity they’ve demonstrated in previous seasons and they managed just two shots on target. Their best chance in the match came with roughly five minutes to go when Nanco beat Jonathan Sirois in the Valour goal but was denied by the woodwork, a good representation of the sort of day it was for Forge.

Valour kicks off their 2021 season with an impressive win over the defending champs — their first win in CPL play against the Hamilton-based outfit.

BOX SCORE

Goals

6′ — Moses Dyer (Valour FC)
26′ — Austin Ricci (Valour FC)

Discipline

6′ — Yellow: Dejan Jakovic (Forge FC)
31′ — Yellow: Kyle Bekker (Forge FC)
32′ — Yellow: Daryl Fordyce (Valour FC)
46′ — Yellow: Moses Dyer (Valour FC)
90+2′ — Yellow: Chris Nanco (Forge FC)