HIGHLIGHTS: FC Edmonton vs. HFX Wanderers FC (June 14, 2022)

The HFX Wanderers picked up a crucial road victory on Tuesday, coming from behind to nab a 2-1 win over FC Edmonton in midweek CPL action, all thanks to a second-half Samuel Salter brace. 

Before that late magic from their guests, however, Edmonton came flying out of the gates to begin the game, doing well to find their legs early on, putting pressure on their guests right from the first whistle. 

As a result, they managed to grab an early lead, right in the ninth minute. After a great run down the right flank by Shamit Shome, he managed to find the cutting run of Wesley Timoteo into the box, and from there, he did the rest, slashing the ball home into the top corner from short range to put his team ahead by one. 

Continuing their strong start, they then nearly doubled their lead 10 minutes later, too, as a ball fell perfectly for Gabriel Bitar at the edge of the box, and he caught all of a strike, sending it just wide of the mark.

Not satisfied with that, they’d then get a glorious chance in the 25th minute, as well. After a great ball into the box, Mamadi Camara did well to pluck it down and take an extra touch instead of rushing his attempt, and as a result, he caught the Wanderers’ defenders slipping, seemingly giving him an open look at goal. 

But from there, that led to a big stop from the Wanderers’ Christian Oxner, who just managed to get back into the picture to stop Camara, denying him twice to keep his team in the game. 

Despite just missing out there, Edmonton remained hungry, as minutes later, the ball fell to Shome in a great area, where he’d swing at it with his left boot, just narrowly sending a dangerous attempt over the bar. 

Finally finding their legs a bit, the Wanderers nearly managed to equalize right in the 30th minute, however, as some nice interplay freed up Alex Marshall inside of the box, but his dangerous attempt wouldn’t find the target, deflecting over the net from close range. 

Through that, they managed to create their best chance of the game up to that point in the 42nd minute, as Pierre Lamothe did well to turn and shoot after receiving the ball in a dangerous area, only finding himself denied by the wrong side of the post. 

Right after, they continued their push to grab a goal before half time, as Aidan Daniels managed to find a good pocket of space at the edge of the box, where he’d unleash a strong effort, but one that would lack the accuracy to threaten the Edmonton goal. 

From there, however, that’d be all that they’d find in the first half, leaving them to continue their push into the second half.

Which, to give them credit, they did, allowing them to quickly find that equalizer on the other side of the break. After a bit of great play from them down the middle, they managed to unlock Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé in a dangerous area, where he’d manage to find a wide-open Samuel Salter at the back post, who’d tap home easily from close range for the crucial goal. 

Plus, as a bonus for the guests – he wouldn’t be done there, either. 

Just minutes later, Colin Gander did well to get up the pitch and whip in a dangerous ball, one that would find Salter in a great position in the box, and from there, he’d make no mistake with that chance, slotting home the ball into the bottom corner first-time, allowing his team to complete the quick turnaround. 

Despite that, Edmonton didn’t fold, as they tried to wrestle back control of the game. And they’d nearly do that in the 67th minute, as Camara did well to tee up Simon Triantafillou at the edge of the box, but his volley would fly easily into the hands of the Wanderers Christian Oxner. 

Then, a minute later, Timoteo managed to tee up Bicou Bissainthe off of a corner, and the Edmonton defender did well to get full contact on his header, only finding himself stopped by the post. 

Continuing that strong push, Gabriel Bitar got into the action for Edmonton in the 72nd minute, getting his full strength behind a shot from distance, one that nearly evaded the hands of Oxner, just saving it in the nick of time. 

Soon after, at the death, Bitar had another good look, doing well to craft some space for himself at the edge of the box for a dangerous strike, but he’d just send his attempt over the mark.

From there, however, that’d be all that Edmonton would be able to muster up in their late push, leaving them to rue their missed opportunities on the night, while the Wanderers enjoyed the spoils of their well-earned victory. 

BOX SCORE

Goals

9′ — Wesley Timoteo (FC Edmonton)

53′ — Samuel Salter (HFX Wanderers)

59′ — Samuel Salter (HFX Wanderers)

Discipline

23′ — Yellow: Marcello Polisi (HFX Wanderers)

50′ — Yellow: Wesley Timoteo (FC Edmonton)

85′ — Yellow: Cale Loughrey (FC Edmonton)

87′ — Yellow: Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé (HFC Wanderers)

89′ — Yellow: Zachary Fernandez (HFC Wanderers)

89′ — Yellow: Courtney Smith (FC Edmonton)