HIGHLIGHTS: Cavalry FC vs. York United FC (August 27, 2022)

Cavalry FC got back to winning ways on Saturday, grabbing a crucial 1-0 win over York United to climb back up the CPL standings.

Despite having to navigate a resilient road performance from York, who had won four of their last six games heading into this match, as well as a lengthy lightning day, Cavalry ensured that they’d leave with all three points, helping them maintain their push for first place in the league. 

Right from the beginning match, both teams hoped for an electric start to the game, as they came out with all sorts of energy. And they’d get their wish, too, but just not the way that they probably drew it up, as a lengthy lightning delay was set into effect after 15 minutes, leaving both teams to regroup for nearly two hours before the game was able to kick off again. 

Finally back from that break, however, Cavalry came out strongly, as José Escalante tried a powerful shot from a tight angle right in the 20th minute, but York’s Eleias Himaras would save his attempt rather easily. 

Looking to respond, York then had a good look of their own in the 24th minute, as Ronan Kratt decided to have a go from outside of the Cavalry box, flashing a powerful attempt just wide of the post with his right foot. 

Having absorbed that pressure, however, Cavalry had their best chance of the game up to that point in the 38th minute. After a great run by Escalante, he whipped a dangerous ball into the box, where he found the head of a wide-open Joe Mason, but Cavalry’s leading scorer sent his attempt just wide of the mark. 

Given that new lease on life after that miss, York looked to make the most of it, as they pushed the other way. That pressure would almost pay off for them in the 44th minute, too, as Chrisnovic N’Sa tried a cross on his left foot, one that nearly sailed in, if not for the strong hands of Marco Carducci, who denied N’Sa of his second worldie in two weeks just before halftime. 

On the other side of halftime, Cavalry would come out strong once again, and this time they’d be rewarded for their pressure, as they managed to grab an opener right in the 55th minute. After a dangerous ball into the box by Mikaël Cantave, the ball fell perfectly to Escalante, who took a touch before slotting home from a tight angle, giving his team a crucial lead. 

Eager to get back into the game, York managed to push up the field nearly immediately, as they tried to find an equalizer. As a result, they did well to tee up Mo Babouli in a dangerous area in the 58th minute, and he’d make good contact on a shot, but he’d send his shot well over the goal. 

At the other end, however, Cavalry nearly put the game decently out of reach in the 63rd minute, as Ali Musse decided to have an attempt from nearly 30 yards out, and he’d catch all of it, only finding himself denied by the crossbar on a shot that had Himaras fooled. 

Right after, Charlie Trafford also almost doubled Cavalry’s lead, finding himself unmarked at the back post on a deep free kick, and he’d make good contact on his header, although he’d send it well wide of the near post despite being quite close to the York goal. 

At the other end, Cavalry nearly came to rue those misses, as York managed to send second half sub, Lisandro Cabrera, in behind on a breakaway, but despite having just Carducci left to beat, he slotted his shot just wide of the mark. 

Then, fellow second half sub, Sebastián Gutiérrez, had a similar look, also finding himself alone with Carducci, but despite sending this attempt on target, he would be unable to beat the Cavalry goalkeeper, much to the chagrin of York supporters.

BOX SCORE

Goals

55′ — José Escalante (Cavalry FC) 

Discipline

32′ — Yellow: Mikaël Cantave (Cavalry FC) 

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

59′ — Yellow: Elliot Simmons (Cavalry FC) 

62′ — Yellow: Luis Lawrie-Lattanzio (York United) 

87′ — Yellow: Jean-Aniel Assi (Cavalry FC)