Cavalry FC striker Anthony Novak scored an early goal his return to Tim Hortons Field on Tuesday night, finding the back of the net in just the third minute to help his side to a 1-0 win in the CPL’s regular season finale.

Applying early pressure, Cavalry FC took advantage of a giveaway to take the lead in just the third minute.

Quickly pressing Dom Samuel, Jose Escalante blocked a pass from the Forge centre-back, and the ball fell to Novak at the edge of the penalty area. The former Forge striker ran around goalkeeper Triston Henry, before firing the ball into the empty net with an easy finish.

Novak’s strike would be the only goal of the opening half, and one of just three shots on target. Joseph Di Chiara also fired a shot at Henry from long range in the 33rd minute, before The Hammers counter-attacked the other way.

Kyle Bekker fired a shot toward the bottom right corner, but Cavs goalkeeper Tyson Farago kept it out with a diving save to his left.

Novak nearly found a second for The Cavs just after the break, getting a great look at goal in the 50th minute. He brought the ball, and made himself some space, but fired his shot right at Henry.

Forge came close just after the hour mark, nearly forcing an own goal out of the Cavalry defence. After breaking down the right flank, Emery Welshman played a low pass across the box. The ball struck Mason Trafford’s leg and deflected back toward his own goal, hitting the post before Farago could smother it.

That’s the closest that the home side would come to scoring in this match. The Hammers managed just a single shot on target — Bekker’s effort in the first half — never really challenging Tyson Farago.

Now that the regular season is complete, both teams turn their attention to home games in the playoffs this weekend. Cavalry host Pacific on Saturday, and Forge host York United on Sunday, with the winners battling it out for the North Star Shield.

BOX SCORE

Goals

3′ — Anthony Novak (Cavalry FC)

Discipline

25′ — Yellow: Klaidi Cela (Forge FC)

28′ — Yellow: Oliver Minatel (Cavalry FC)

32′ — Yellow: Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson (Forge FC)

48′ — Yellow: Nicolas Apostol (Cavalry FC)

75′ — Yellow: David Norman Jr. (Cavalry FC)

76′ — Yellow: Kyle Bekker (Forge FC)

90+1′ — Yellow: Mo Babouli (Forge FC)