HIGHLIGHTS: HFX Wanderers FC vs. Forge FC (September 14, 2024) | Presented by tonybet

Halifax Wanderers inflicted a surprise 3-0 win over league leaders Forge FC on Saturday, with goals from Giorgio Probo, Andre Rampersad and Sean Rea ensuring the hosts are still in contention for a playoff spot in the knockout stages of the Canadian Premier League.

With his side battered by injuries and suspensions, Halifax head coach had to opt for somewhat of a mix-and-match lineup, introducing half a dozen changes to his starting lineup, and a bench that featured five U-21 players. 

New signing Nassim Mekidéche, whose arrival was only announced Saturday, partnered youngster Jefferson Alphonse in the heart of defence, with Clement Bayiha forced to slot in at right-back, even as the ever-present Zachary Fernandez lined up on the left. 

Gheisar was hoping to harness the Québecois chemistry between Bayiha and Sean Rea, who was previously touted to join MLS side CF Montréal, with a view to making the move to Europe. Rea formed part of a five-man midfield skippered by Andre Rampersad alongside Lorenzo Callegari, Giorgio Probo, and Massimo Ferrin. The returning Ryan Telfer played up front, with the intention of stretching the Forge defence, as Tiago Coimbra dropped to the bench.

For Forge, head coach Bobby Smyrniotis decided to deploy the tried and tested trio of Béni Badibanga, Tristan Borges, and David Choinière. Noah Jensen, who is being groomed as the successor to Kyle Becker, played a more advanced role alongside Elimané Cissé, with Alessandro Hojabrpour functioning as the defensive screen, ahead of Daniel Parra. Garven-Michee Metusala, Alexander Achinioti-Jonsson, and Malcolm Duncan.

Despite being bottom of the table, Halifax still had a chance of going through to the playoffs. Small wonder, then that they began on the front foot. Ferrin in particular was a thorn in Forge’s side, linking up well with Rea and Bayiha to engineer a 19th minute cross from the right-back that could’ve inflicted further damage, had it not been for a last-ditch tackle from Metusala. 

Halfax’s pressure finally paid off after half an hour, thanks to a combination of skill and determination. An excellent pass played forward by Alphonse was collected by Telfer on the right. Despite the best efforts of the Forge defenders, he refused to give up the ball, poking it instead to the overlapping Fernandez, who found Probo unmarked in front of goal, and he did not hesitate to slot home to cheers from the home fans.

While the hosts had been lively going forward, Forge by comparison had been extremely poor, with whatever little the visitors could muster ably dealt with by a defence well-marshalled by Mekidéche. The Hammers thought they had a chance to get back into the game when they claimed handball in the 33rd minute after Jensen’s speculative effort hit Ramprasad. The referee, though, was quick to wave protests away. 

As the first half ticked by, Halifax decided to sit back and absorb pressure, as Forge continued to struggle to create chances in front of goal. Small wonder then that Smyrniotis made a double change at half time, introducing Kyle Bekker and Jordan Hamilton for Borges and Jensen.

While Forge had introduced attacking changes in search of a goal, the second of the game also went to Halifax: Probo turned provider as he fired in a superb inswinging cross from the left, as Rampersad rose highest to thunder the ball home past goalkeeper Jassem Koleilat in the 53rd minute.

Out of nowhere, Forge almost pulled a goal back just two minutes later, as Badibanga clattered the ball with a vicious, dipping effort.

But Halifax knew they had their opponents on the ropes, and it was Rea who delivered the next blow, making it 3-0 in the 61st minute: a brilliant outside of the boot pass from Ferrin found Rea in the box, who twisted past his marker and effortlessly sidestepped the keeper to slot home to wild cheers from the home supporters: they’d been waiting for a result like this for a long, long time.

Rea was withdrawn eight minutes later to a standing ovation from the home fans, alongside the industrious Telfer, as Gheisar brought on Tiago Coimbra and Aidan Daniels to keep things fresh. Daniels nearly made an immediate impact, seizing on a loose ball to fire goalwards, only to see his shot blocked by Achinioti-Jönsson. 

With Halifax well and truly in control, they spent the rest of the match closing out the game, with Gheisar continuing to ensure fresh legs on the field, Riley Ferrazzo and Camilo Vasconcelos coming on for Rampersad and Ferrin in the closing minutes of the second half.

While Gheisar will be thrilled with his side’s performance, Smyrniotis will be looking over his shoulder at the chasing pack of Atlético Ottawa and York United, both of whom travel to Hamilton in matches that will now be decisive at the top of the table.

BOX SCORE

Lineups 

Halifax Wanderers: Fillion; Bayiha, Alphonse, Mekidéche, Fernandez; Callegari, Rampersad (Ferrazzo 80’), Rea (Daniels 69’), Probo, Ferrin (Vasconcelos 84’); Telfer (Coimbra 69’)

Forge FC: Koleilat; Parra, Metusela, Achinioti-Jönsson, Duncan (Koné 63’); Hojabrpour, Jensen (Bekker 46’), Cissé; Borges (Hamilton 46’), Choinière (Schiavoni 63’), Badibanga (Castello 63’)

Goals: 

30’ – Giorgio Probo (Halifax Wanderers)

53’ – Andre Rampersad (Halifax Wanderers)

61’ – Sean Rea (Halifax Wanderers)

Discipline:

6’ – Yellow: Andre Rampersad (Halifax Wanderers)

28’ – Yellow Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson (Forge FC)

49’ – Yellow: Sean Rea (Halifax Wanderers)

56’ – Yellow: Daniel Parra (Forge FC)

74’ – Yellow: Elimane Cissé (Forge FC)