HIGHLIGHTS: Forge FC vs. FC Edmonton (April 23, 2022)

Forge FC are in the win column for the first time in 2022, as they defeated FC Edmonton 3-0 on Saturday at Tim Hortons Field thanks to a pair of goals and an assist from Terran Campbell.

The visiting Eddies came in with a slightly different tactical look; local product T-boy Fayia returned to the lineup at right fullback after missing last Friday’s match with injury, and they changed to a four-man backline. Simon Triantafillou stepped into midfield for his first start with the club as well after signing for them last week ahead of the injured Shamit Shome.

Forge, dealing with some injuries as well, put out a front three of Terran Campbell, Tristan Borges, and David Choinière after the latter scored a 90th-minute equalizer last weekend against Cavalry.

The hosts took immediate control of the ball, trying to push into the Eddies’ half with methodical build-up play. To their credit, though, Edmonton defended well in their structure and did an excellent job of limiting Forge’s chances in the early stages.

Ultimately, though, Forge found the breakthrough moment they needed. They won a corner kick just after the half-hour mark, and the ensuing scramble to clear the ball saw Triantafillou catch Garven Metusala in the face with a high boot, prompting referee David Barrie to point to the spot. Terran Campbell stepped up to take the penalty, and although his initial effort was parried by an excellent diving save from Andreas Vaikla, he was able to bury the rebound comfortably to make it 1-0 for the Hammers.

On the brink of halftime, Forge doubled their lead via the right foot of Tristan Borges. David Choinière, having swapped to the left wing just minutes before, played Campbell through on goal with a clever slip pass, and Campbell spotted Borges unmarked at the back post so he sent it across for the tap-in finish.

Trailing 2-0 coming out of the break, the Eddies attempted to press a little higher and generate some more attacking opportunities. Not long into the half, coach Alan Koch opted for a triple substitution, bringing Azriel González, Wesley Timoteo, and Mamadi Camara into the match to prove some fresher forwards. It nearly paid off immediately — a chipped set-piece right after the change found the boot of Camara who volleyed into the net, but the prospective goal was ruled out for offside.

Soon after, Forge brought Chris Nanco into the game to give Borges some rest and provide a different element on the right wing, and it paid off quite soon. Nanco, Aboubacar Sissoko, and Alessandro Hojabrpour played off each other well on the right side of the box as Sissoko drove to the end line and sent a low cross through to the goal, and it was Campbell once again who held off the Eddies’ defenders and got a foot to the ball to make it 3-0.

From that point, Forge sailed on to victory. Woobens Pacius, who came on as a substitute, missed out on a few golden chances to make it 4-0, but ultimately the score remained the same and the Hammers held onto the clean sheet.

BOX SCORE

Goals

35′ — Terran Campbell (Forge FC)
45′ — Tristan Borges (Forge FC)
69′ — Terran Campbell (Forge FC)

Discipline

33′ — Yellow: Simon Triantafillou (FC Edmonton)
59′ — Yellow: Dominic Samuel (Forge FC)
64′ — Yellow: Luke Singh (FC Edmonton)
80′ — Yellow: Woobens Pacius (Forge FC)
88′ — Yellow: Mamadi Camara (FC Edmonton)