HIGHLIGHTS: York United FC vs. Cavalry FC (April 22, 2022)

York United picked up all three points for the first time this season on Friday night, beating Cavalry FC 2-0 at York Lions Stadium.

The beginning of the first half was end-to-end, but for most of the half the two sides struggled to make anything happen. Four of Cavalry’s five shots came in the first half, but two of them were from outside the box, and two shots from Ben Fisk were blocked by York defenders. York was controlling a lot of the play in midfield, and quick counter attacks after winning the ball back led to a lot of their chances throughout the match.

Playing for the first time against the club he spent three years with, York attacker Oliver Minatel gave his side the lead in the 35th minute. After picking up the ball in midfield, Isaiah Johnston took a touch to open up some space for himself, before curling a cross into the box.

Minatel ran into the area and dived to connect with it, redirecting it toward goal, and watching it float into the back of the net.

The teams would trade chances again at the start of the second half, but neither side were able to make the most of them. Cavalry led the possession of the ball, but York were the ones getting the majority of the shots — outshooting them 17-5 in the match.

After scoring his first Canadian Premier League goal against FC Edmonton last week, Osaze De Rosario doubled the lead for The Nine Stripes in the 73rd minute, with another impressive strike. After cutting in from the left wing, he fired the ball at goal from outside the box, De Rosario’s shot found the bottom left corner, adding some padding.

Cavalry had a chance to pull a goal back in the 86th minute, as Jean-Aniel Assi rounded former Cavalry goalkeeper Niko Giantsopoulos, but his shot hit the outside of the post an went out for a goal kick.

The two sides came together in the final moments of the match after York weren’t pleased with a tackle from José Escalante on Sebastian Gutierrez. After the two sides calmed down, the final minutes on the clock ticked away, and York United held on for their first win of the season.

BOX SCORE

Goals

35′ — Oliver Minatel (York United)

73′ — Osaze De Rosario (York United)

Discipline

32′ — Yellow: Daan Klomp (Cavalry FC)

38′ — Yellow: Mason Trafford (Cavalry FC)

61′ — Yellow: Jordan Wilson (York  United)

72′ — Yellow: Mason Trafford (Cavalry FC)