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Vancouver FC 0-3 Forge FC: Pacius Hattrick Gives Forge Win
By A solid showing from Forge FC saw them pick up a 3-0 win against Vancouver FC, a first for the defending North Start Shield winners at Willoughby Community Centre.
Vancouver FC comes into the match off a narrow 2-1 defeat at York Lions Stadium to York United last weekend. However, the Eagles made just change to their starting eleven with Kadin Chung making his first start since May, replacing Min-Jae Kwak at right back.
As for Forge, they went into the game on a three game drawing streak. The most recent one came in the nation’s capital, a 0-0 stalemate with Atletico Ottawa. Like the home side, just one adjustment in the Forge eleven as Dominic Samuel made way for Woobens Pacius.
The first chance of the game came 12 minutes in. Mikaël Cantave did well down the wing, crossing to Gabriel Bitar. However, Bitar failed to get proper contact on the ball and the chance went begging.
Forge opened the scoring in the 19th minute with their first serious chance of the game. Off the second phase of the corner, Rezart Rama played a ball in, which found Pacius. The striker’s header went into the bottom corner, giving Callum Irving no chance.
Less than ten minutes later, Pacius got on the scoresheet again. Kwasi Poku crossed the ball to Terran Campbell, who headed it down to Pacius. Although Irving came out of his goal to close the angle, Pacius snuck his shot past the Vancouver FC captain for the brace.
Vancouver did not create much in a first half, but they nearly got a goal back at the stroke of half-time. Bitar played a lovely ball to Alejandro Diaz, but the Mexican’s shot went just wide.
Forge got a third just 90 seconds into the second half. After Campbell was brought down by Rocco Romeo on a Poku cross, Pacius stepped up to complete his hat-trick. Irving went the right way, but could not deny Pacius his third goal.
Vancouver did continue to try finding the net. Off a Bitar corner, Renan Garcia redirected the low cross on goal. Triston Henry was forced into an acrobatic save to maintain the clean sheet.
Forge had a glorious chance to add to their lead in the 63rd minute. Poku played a wonderful cross in to Campbell, whose attempt was thwarted by Irving. Moments later, Badibanga played a cross that, between Pacius and Campbell, fail to direct the ball home.
Forge substitute Khadim Kane also came close to adding a fourth for the Hammers in the 77th minute. The midfielder hit a powerful shot that came off the post and back out. Irving was well beaten, and could be considered fortunate to not be picking the ball out of his net again.
Min-Jae Kwak also had a go late on with the substitute going for goal from the right wing. Henry was equal to it, however, as Diaz’s follow-up went over the bar.
Maybe the one bad thing that happened for Forge was seeing Kwasi Poku receive a straight red card a few minutes before the end. The Forge left back caught TJ Tahid on the ankle with a late challenge, giving the referee no choice but to send him off.
That was the last meaningful moment of the game, as Forge held on for a 3-0 victory. The result sends the Hamiltonians to third spot in the league table with 35 points from 23 games. Next for the Hammers is a return to Tim Hortons Field for a big game against league leaders Cavalry. That is next Saturday.
As for Vancouver FC, they remain in last place with 17 points from 22 matches. The Eagles welcome Atlético Ottawa to Willoughby Community Centre on Friday night.
Header Image Photo Credit: James Glezos