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Photo Credit: Jojo Yanjiao Qian
Forge 4-0 HFX Wanderers: Hosts Run Rampant
By Just as they did last year, Forge and the Halifax Wanderers faced off in the preliminary round of the TELUS Canadian Championship. And just like in 2025, the Hammers came out on top.
Two goals on either side of the half saw the Hamiltonians prevail 4-0 to advance to the quarterfinals. They now await the winners of Sunday’s match between Inter Toronto and CS Saint-Laurent.
The sides met one week prior in Halifax during league play, with Forge winning 3-1. It was the first goal Bobby Smyrniotis’ men have conceded in domestic play this year. Heading into Saturday afternoon’s contest, the same 11 who started the previous game retained their spots.
For Halifax, they made three adjustments to their lineup for the CanChamp contest. Jason Bahamboula, Ryan Telfer, and Sven Zitman all started in place of Francesco Troisi, Andre Rampersad, and Tavio Ciccarelli.
After a quiet quarter hour of the match, Forge won a penalty. From a corner, Ben Paton flicked the ball up, catching the arm of Finn Linder. The referee immediately pointed to the spot, giving the hosts a chance to take the lead. But, Brian Wright’s penalty was kept out by Marco Carducci, who dove to his right to deny the striker.
It was the first time in his Forge career that Wright failed to convert from the spot.
A few minutes later, Noah Jensen had a go from distance, but once more, Carducci was equal to the effort, getting both hands on the ball to keep it out.
Halifax did not have a shot in the opening half, as Forge kept the pressure coming throughout. Wright did try his luck later on in the half, but in what was always a tricky angle, Carducci was equal to the attempt.
The deadlock was broken just before the break. Forge won a free kick just outside the box, close to the corner flag. Up stepped Tristan Borges, who fired his effort into the far corner of the goal past a helpless Carducci to give the Hammers the lead.
Moments later, the lead was doubled. Another set piece became fruitful, as Noah Jensen’s corner was flicked to the back post. A Wanderers deflection helped it over to Antoine Batisse, who shot it in from a foot away.
The onslaught continued into the second half, as five minutes after the restart, it became 3-0. Initially going on a counter attack, Forge slowed the play down for a moment before Hoce Massunda picked out Borges with his cross. The skipper stuck his foot out to send it past Carducci for his second of the game.
Wright may have been thwarted in the first half, but the Hammers’ number nine got in on the scoring action a few moments later. A shot from Borges from distance was pushed into Wright’s path by Carducci. The former Inter Toronto man could not miss from close range, converting it past the outstretched Halifax keeper to pile on the misery.
Halifax’s only shot on target in the match came just before the hour mark, as they went on the counter. Cyprian Kachwale chased the long pass before finding Victor Akinwale. However, the attempt from the substitute was an easy save for Dmitry Bertaud.
The game was stopped after 70 minutes due to lightning in the area. Although the result was all but confirmed, the delay lasted about an hour. The players then came back onto the field, had a brief warm-up period, and continued play.
Nothing of note occurred in the final 20 minutes following the interruption as Forge was able to comfortably hold off the Wanderers and progress to the quarterfinals once more. Meanwhile, Halifax suffered defeat in this round for the fourth year in a row. In fact, they have never defeated a professional team in the Canadian Championship.
Forge’s next CPL game will be on Wednesday, as they take on Supra in their third annual School Day match. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two sides.
As for Halifax, who will look to get back to winning ways after going five without victory, they will be in Ontario again next Sunday as they take on Atletico Ottawa.
Header Image Photo Credit: Jojo Yanjiao Qian
