The third 905 Derby of 2024 went down just like the prior two, as Forge FC defeated York United 3-0 on Saturday afternoon at Tim Hortons Field. The Hammers have now beaten York twice in Canadian Premier League play, plus once in the Canadian Championship this year, as they put three points of breathing room between themselves and their rivals.

Forge coach Bobby Smyrniotis opted to make a few changes from the side that lost 3-0 in Ottawa last week, as Jassem Koleilat got the start in goal while Tristan Borges, Malcolm Duncan and Garven Metusala returned to the starting XI.

York, hoping to preserve a three-game unbeaten run, went with a similar lineup to last week’s, although fullback Juan Córdova returned to the lineup and Elijah Adekugbe replaced Matthew Baldisimo in midfield, while leading scorer Brian Wright missed out due to injury.

Just before the half-hour mark, Forge FC found themselves in front as they capitalized on a York mistake. Goalkeeper Thomas Vincensini gave the ball away under pressure in his own box, putting it right into the path of Forge skipper Kyle Bekker who slotted it from the top of the area into a wide-open goal, making it 1-0.

Forge pressed their advantage and doubled the lead moments later, as Kwasi Poku chased down a ball over the top and cut it backward to Tristan Borges in the corner of the penalty area. He flicked a shot from distance that sailed over traffic and Vincensini’s outstretched glove, landing in the net at the far corner for Borges’ third goal of the year.

The familiarity between these sides showed itself at halftime, as some words exchanged near the York bench after the whistle resulted in a heated altercation and much pushing and shoving. Five players ended up with bookings — three from York and two from Forge — as the third derby of the year took on a new edge.

Forge put the match out of reach not long after the interval, as they cut forward through York’s midfield and Borges fed it to Poku standing between the centre-backs. Poku turned to evade a tackle and slipped it to Daniel Parra, who came in unmarked on the left and finished well to make it 3-0.

The final half-hour of the match saw York push for a consolation goal, and they came close on a handful of occasions — including once where Poku cleared a shot ooff the goal line — but their efforts were in vain.

For the third time this year, and the second in CPL play, Forge scored three goals and defeated York United, snapping their three-game winless streak in the league and moving — briefly at least, before the rest of the weekend’s matches — into a tie for second place.

BOX SCORE

Lineups

Forge FC: Koleilat; Duncan, Achinioti-Jönsson, Metusala (Owolabi-Belewu 81′), Parra; Bekker, Hojabrpour (Jensen 81′), Borges (Kane 77′); Badibanga (Koné 77′), Poku, Choinière (Tavernier 77′)

York United FC: Vincensini; Córdova (Voytsekhovskyy 58′), Abatneh (Zeppieri 74′), Sturing (León 58′), Botello (Martin-Pereux 58′); Adekugbe, Soumaoro, Martínez (Giraldo 58′); Salanovic, Ricci, Ferrari

Goals

29′ — Kyle Bekker (Forge FC)
34′ — Tristan Borges (Forge FC)
53′ — Daniel Parra (Forge FC)

Discipline

16′ — Yellow: Orlando Botello (York United)
40′ — Yellow: Josué Martínez (York United)
46′ — Yellow: Noah Abatneh (York United)
46′ — Yellow: Austin Ricci (York United)
46′ — Yellow: Oswaldo León (York United)
46′ — Yellow: Tristan Borges (Forge FC)
46′ — Yellow: Béni Badibanga (Forge FC)
85′ — Yellow: Markiyan Voytsekhovskyy (York United)