RECAP + HIGHLIGHTS: York United vs. Forge FC (April 27, 2025)

Rivals York United and Forge FC played to a thrilling 2-2 draw at York Lions Stadium on Sunday afternoon in the first 905 derby of 2025.

Rezart Rama opened the scoring for Forge in the 12th minute, before Riley Ferrazzo replied for the Nine Stripes in the 14th. York then took the lead in the 29th minute from the penalty spot through Julian Altobelli, before Forge replied with a penalty of their own scored by former York United striker Brian Wright.

The two sides, who initially met in the Canadian Premier League's first-ever match exactly six years to the day on April 27, 2019 renewed their provincial rivalry for the 27th time.

The hosts had a great chance inside the opening eight minutes as Max Ferrari cut in from the right wing, but Jassem Koleilat did well to get down and deny the York United right back with his leg.

It was Forge, however, that struck first in the 12th minute. Alessandro Hojabrpour played a lovely clipped ball over the top to Tristan Borges, who squared a low cross to Rama. The Forge full-back scuffed his first attempt, but when the rebound came back to his feet, he made no mistake to give Forge a 1-0 lead.

York, however, replied just two minutes later with an absolute stunner. Altobelli played a ball square across the top of the box into the path of Ferrazzo, whose curling strike from the left curled into the net to tie the match 1-1.

The Nine Stripes then nearly took the lead moments later. Shola Jimoh beat Rezart Rama to the ball down the left flank and sent in a teasing cross which Julian Altobelli volleyed just wide.

York kept the pressure on, and in the 26th minute a header from Altobelli hit the crossbar. The ball fell into the path of Gabriel Bitar, whose mazy dribbling forced a Forge tackle and won a penalty. Altobelli stepped up to the spot and calmly slotted home his league-leading fourth of the season to give the hosts a deserved 2-1 lead.

Again, the rollercoaster of a match continued in the 30th minute, when Kyle Bekker played Wright behind for a partial breakaway, but the Forge striker couldn't beat Diego Urtiata.

Less than a minute later, Forge drew a penalty of their own for a handball in the box. Wright stepped up to the spot and smashed home his second goal in consecutive games to tie the match 2-2.

York had yet another penalty shout in the 40th minute when Shola Jimoh looked to have been brought down in the box, but appeals were waved away.

The chaotic first 45 came to a close with the sides still deadlocked at 2-2.

The start of the second half was a touch more measured, as the two sides tightened up defensively and gave away fewer clear-cut opportunities.

Oswaldo León came close on a corner kick in the 61st minute, but sent a header at the backpost over the net. The moment came as the Nine Stripes were starting to take control of the match.

Forge made a triple substitution in the 65th minute looking to change that fact with Amadou Koné, Noah Jensen and Hoce Massunda entering the match.

York countered by giving new signing Bryan Rosa his debut. Rosa nearly made an instant impact, picking the pocket of Dan Nimick to get in behind, before passing out wide to Bitar. The York attacker tried to cut in on his left foot, but was tackled well by Ben Paton.

Forge remain undefeated to begin the 2025 Canadian Premier League season, and against the Nine Stripes in their past eight meetings. For York, meanwhile, they still await their first home victory of the campaign.

BOX SCORE

Lineups

York United: Urtiaga; Singh (Bergman 78'), Higgins, León; Ferrari, Yeates, Kibato, Ferrazzo; Bitar (Reid 86'), Jimoh (Botello 78'), Altobelli (Rosa 73')

Forge FC: Koleilat; Rama (Kane 73'), Nimick, Achinioti-Jönsson, Jevremović (Paton 33'); Bekker, Hojabrpour, Borges (Jensen 65'); Choinière (Massunda 65'), Babouli (Koné 65') , Wright

Goals

12' — Rezart Rama (Forge FC)
14' -- Riley Ferrazzo (York United)
29' -- Julian Altobelli (York United) (Penalty)
32' -- Brian Wright (Forge FC) (Penalty)

Discipline

25' -- Yellow: Luke Singh (York United)
45+3' — Yellow: Rezart Rama (Forge FC)
66' -- Yellow: Riley Ferrazzo (York United)