HIGHLIGHTS: Cavalry FC vs. HFX Wanderers FC (July 15, 2023) | Presented by tonybet

Cavalry FC temporarily climbed into a tie for second place in the Canadian Premier League on Saturday, as they defeated the Halifax Wanderers 1-0 at ATCO Field for their fifth win in the past seven games.

A hard-fought battle, it seemed destined to finish 0-0 as both teams reached the 90th minute without a goal. Yet, that’d be where Cavalry would manage to step up big, as a dangerous Ben Fisk free kick bounced off the back of Halifax’s Daniel Nimick and into the net for an unfortunate own goal, giving them a late winner in the 91st minute.

Before that dramatic finish, however, both sides would come out of the gates rather quietly, settling into a calm tempo.

Because of that, the first chance from either side wouldn’t come until the 16th minute, as Cavalry’s Fraser Aird had a look from distance, but his shot would sail just wide of the mark.

Just minutes later, Cavalry had a golden chance to find an opener, coming off a set piece. There, Shamit Shome did well to flick on a dangerous Aird free kick, finding a wide-open Gareth Smith-Doyle at the back post, but despite being unmarked, the Cavalry youngster nodded over the goal from close range.

Continuing a strong start to the game from Aird, he’d once again play provider in the 23rd minute, where he’d do well to find Ben Fisk with a great cross, although Fisk would be unable to direct his header on goal.

At the other end, Halifax started to find their feet, nearly leading them to find an opener in the 30th minute. Seemingly out of nothing, Aidan Daniels managed to cut inside and fire a shot from distance, launching a rocket that would hit the post and stay out, much to the relief of Marco Carducci in the Cavalry goal.

On the ensuing counter-attack, Cavalry then had two great chances of their own, as Sergio Camargo forced a strong stop out of Halifax’s Yann Fillion on a dangerous low shot, before Fisk struck the post just seconds later, with both chances being created by Myer Bevan.

Shortly after, the frenetic pace of the game would continue, as Halifax did well to carve through Cavalry’s defence after a nice 1-2 between Massimo Ferrin and Riley Ferrazzo, before Ferrin did well to find a wide-open Callum Watson at the back post. Despite having a gaping goal, however, Watson’s shot would be blocked by Cavalry’s Bradley Kamdem on the line, before he’d slice the ensuing rebound just wide.

Eager to take matters into his own hands, Ferrin then had a great look two minutes later, as he unleashed a dangerous strike from distance, just narrowly sending it past the post with power.

From there, however, both teams would reach half time with the score still knotted at 0-0, leaving them to ponder what they might need to adjust as the second half came around.

Despite that break, however, the game would slow right back down, as both teams remained locked in a good tactical battle. As a result, chances were hard to come by through the first 30 minutes, other than a pair of shots from Halifax’s Thomas Giraldo and Lorenzo Callegari flew well off target.

Late on, though, the game would open right back up, as both teams started to trade chances.

At one end, Cavalry’s Goteh Ntignee had a great chance at the back post after Aird did well to find him with a dangerous cross, and he’d unleash a powerful attempt, but his shot would be just blocked from in tight.

Then, at the other end, Halifax’s Ferrin and João Morelli did well to combine inside the Cavalry box, before Ferrin unleashed a powerful half-volley, one that would just miss the post by a few inches.

Eager to grab a late winner, Cavalry continued to apply the pressure late on. As a result, they nearly scored a late winner in the 89th minute, when the ball fell to Joe Mason in the box, but his low shot would be nicely saved by Fillion.

Just minutes later, however, Fisk would step up to a dangerous wide free kick, and his ball would strike Nimick and float in, giving his team the late lead.

From there, they would do what they needed to in order to secure the result, allowing them to return to winning ways at home after a loss to Atlético Ottawa in midweek.

BOX SCORE

Goals

90+1′ — Own Goal: Daniel Nimick (Halifax Wanderers) 

Discipline

84′ — Yellow: Andre Rampersad (Halifax Wanderers)

90+3′ — Yellow: Goteh Ntignee (Cavalry FC)