The right fixture brought an end to a run of draws for the Cavalry.
Tobias Warschewski’s second half goal lifted Cavalry FC (2-6-1) past Forge FC 1-0 to snap a run of four consecutive draws and push the Canadian Premier League team to one point back of a three-way tie for second place.
“We didn’t want it badly, we wanted it greatly and I think that was a great performance,” said Cavalry FC head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. “We were seven games unbeaten and saying, ‘What are we missing?’ We were missing goals, we were missing making blocks?
“Today, we said let’s lean into who we are. In possession, let’s make them uncomfortable and I think we did, the stats showed that. But we also had to be brave because they’ve got a terrific side and always have a chance or two and that was probably the least they’ve looked like scoring a goal in any of their games this season.”
Cavalry looked the more dangerous side in a first half built on pressure up the field.
The hosts had a 40-18 edge in final third entries and 14-4 advantage in touches in the opposition box and 10-3 margin in shots.
Wheeldon Jr. credited versatile midfielder Shamit Shome for the team’s effective press.
“That’s why we played him a little higher because his first step is so quick,” the coach added. “Sham is one of those unsung heroes, he’ll play right back, he’ll play centre mid, he’ll play advanced eight and today we played him as a seven who came into the pockets.”
Charlie Trafford and Eryk Kobza came close on well-placed crosses and Sergio Camargo’s up field interception and attempted chip shot were among the standouts.
The pressure finally paid following the restart.
In the 59th minute, Fraser Aird’s low cross found Warschewski for a backdoor tap in, the German attacker’s fifth goal in CPL action, tied for the league lead.
“We worked hard for that, and I think from the first minute to the 90th minute we deserved this win,” said Warschewski. “We just trust ourselves, we created chances in the first half, we know we can create chances in the second half too.
“We believed in ourselves and in the end we deserved the goal and the game.”
Marco Carducci earned his second clean sheet of the season on Saturday.
Cavalry’s unbeaten run is now at eight games, a streak which stretches all the way back to the season opening loss to Forge in Hamilton.
The Cavs are next in action versus Vancouver FC in the Apple Bowl, held in Kelowna, B.C. on June 16. Cavalry return to ATCO Field to close the month on June 21 against the league-leading Atlético Ottawa.
For more information go to cavsfc.com.
