RECAP + HIGHLIGHTS: York United vs. Halifax Wanderers 🇨🇦 | April 13, 2025

The Halifax Wanderers claimed a well-earned three points away from home on Sunday at York Lions Stadium, as they fought back from a goal down at halftime to beat York United 2-1.

After both clubs started the season with strong results on the road last week, the two sides lined up with the exact same starting XIs they deployed in week one to such effect.

The hosts started the game the stronger of the two sides, cutting into the Wanderers' half regularly and winning the ball repeatedly high up the pitch, and after 20 minutes of pressure they found their reward. Gabriel Bitar recovered possession just outside the box and left it for Adonijah Reid, who took the attention of a defender before knocking a clever backheel pass into the path of Bitar. The Ottawa native fired a shot from the top of the penalty area, and though Halifax keeper Rayane Yesli got a hand to it, he couldn't prevent the ball from finding the back of the net.

Halifax started to find their way in the game as it progressed, threatening the York goal a handful of times, but the Nine Stripes did well to get men back and block the Wanderers' attempts.

The visiting side's fortunes finally turned shortly after halftime. They won a free kick a few meters outside the penalty area to the left of the goal, and Giorgio Probo curled an outstanding ball toward the far bottom corner. It sailed through traffic, and Ryan Telfer ducked at just the right time for the ball to carry over him and into the net, levelling the match at 1-1.

Both sides traded blows as the second half continued, with a couple of excellent chances for York -- especially after Julian Altobelli entered the game around the hour mark. However, the Wanderers proved up to the test, and began probing for more chances of their own.

With about 10 minutes to play, it was Halifax who found another breakthrough. Tiago Coimbra, who had just come in as a substitute, made a blistering run behind York's defence to get on the end of a well-weighted long ball from Kareem Sow. Coimbra carried it into the box and drew Ivan Pavela out off his line before chipping it over the Wanderers keeper, watching it roll into the bottom corner to put the visiting side in front.

York attempted to get into the Wanderers' penalty area late in the match to find an equalizer, but the visitors proved to be well drilled in the closing stages, ultimately holding on for an impressive comeback away result.

BOX SCORE

Lineups 

York United: Pavela; Singh, Higgins, León; Ferrari, Adekugbe, Yeates, Ferrazzo (Kibato 64'); Bitar (Accettola 74'), Reid (Altobelli 64'), Ferrin (Jimoh 64')

Halifax Wanderers: Yesli; Pearlman, Meilleur-Giguère, Sow; Bahamboula (Baï 65'), Johnston (Rampersad 69'), Callegari, Timoteo; Probo (Coimbra 79'), Telfer (Biello 79'), Rea (Dias 69')

Goals

22' -- Gabriel Bitar (York United)
53' -- Giorgio Probo (Halifax Wanderers)
81' -- Tiago Coimbra (Halifax Wanderers)

Discipline

42' -- Yellow: Lorenzo Callegari (Halifax Wanderers)
44' -- Yellow: Isaiah Johnston (Halifax Wanderers)
71' -- Yellow: Gabriel Bitar (York United)
71' -- Yellow: Giorgio Probo (Halifax Wanderers)
78' -- Yellow: Nyal Higgins (York United)
82' -- Yellow: Tiago Coimbra (Halifax Wanderers)
86' -- Yellow: Max Ferrari (York United)
86' -- Yellow: Elijah Adekugbe (York United)
86' -- Yellow: Nassim Mekideche (Halifax Wanderers)
90+4’ — Yellow: Rayane Yesli (Halifax Wanderers)