RECAP + HIGHLIGHTS: York United vs. Pacific FC | Oct. 9, 2025

York United snatched a point at the death at York Lions Stadium on Thursday night, as a Luca Accettola equalizer deep in stoppage time grabbed a 2-2 draw with Pacific FC for the Nine Stripes, as they continue their quest to secure a home playoff game.

Despite York's greater need for the result, it was Pacific who came on stronger to begin the game. They had slightly more of the ball and made more ventures into the attacking half over the first 20 minutes, sending several chances toward goal — though they struggled to put it on target. Yann Toualy and Aidan Daniels both had good chances to shoot, but put their attempts ove the crossbar.

Soon enough, though, Pacific's work paid off. Daniels collected the ball on the left flank after a clever one-two play and dribbled toward the box, squaring a pass behind York's retreating defence. An unguarded Marco Bustos picked it up and curled a left-footed shot into the net for his first goal of the season, putting the Tridents up 1-0.

Things went from bad to worse for York less than 15 minutes later, when again Pacific found their way into the box. Yann Toualy drove toward the end line, and Elijah Adekugbe came in late on his tackle, prompting the referee to award a penalty. Alejandro Díaz buried it calmly, and the Tridents doubled their lead.

York improved in the second half, playing with more desperation while down 2-0. They switched to a back three midway through the half in a bid to get men further forward, and spent more time in the attacking half.

Finally, with about 15 minutes left, they made it a game. Luke Singh launched a ball from deep in his own half as Shaan Hundal ran in behind the Pacific defence, bringing it down with a perfect first touch. Hundal took a couple of strides toward goal then finished with a low, rolling shot past Sean Melvin to cut the deficit in half.

York came inches from equalizing within the last ten minutes, when Leonel López smacked a long-distance free kick off the crossbar, but Julian Altobelli couldn't quite redirect the rebound with a header that bounced wide.

As the seconds ticked down, York continued to throw all they possibly could at the Pacific goal. The game became increasingly physical, and things became more desperate, but at last their moment arrived.

Gabriel Bitar drove in from the right flank, finding space for himself to carry the ball all the way to the top of the box. He threaded a pass in between two Pacific defenders to Luca Accettola, who flicked a touch toward goal for himself. Creating separation, Accettola smashed it into the net, giving York a remarkable last-minute equalizer and a 2-2 draw.

So, in this first match of week 27, York stretched their lead ahead of the fifth-place Halifax Wanderers to two points, with the same distance between them and third-place Cavalry, with both clubs still to play over the weekend.

BOX SCORE

Lineups

York United: Urtiaga; Ferrari (Ferrazzo 74'), Adekugbe (Bitar 74'), Singh, Botello (DaSilva 63'); Kibato, López; Jimoh, Reid (Hundal 55'), Ferrin (Accettola 55'); Altobelli

Pacific FC: Melvin; Mukumbilwa, Baldisimo, Ndom, Greco-Taylor; Daniels (Schiavoni 63'), Juhmi, Young; Bustos (Heard 74'), Díaz (Montejano 87'), Toualy (Zanatta 74')

Goals

21' — Marco Bustos (Pacific FC)
34' — Alejandro Díaz (Pacific FC) (Penalty)
74' — Shaan Hundal (York United)
90+5' — Luca Accettola (York United)

Discipline

30' — Yellow: Roshawn Juhmi (Pacific FC)
48' — Yellow: Max Ferrari (York United)
54' — Yellow: Leonel López (York United)
73' — Yellow: Shola Jimoh (York United)
85' — Yellow: Aly Ndom (Pacific FC)
90+3' — Yellow: Emanuel Montejano (Pacific FC)