Editorial — The inaugural season for York9 has come to an end. Despite more inconsistencies in their final few games, positives can be taken out of their first professional season. Let us take a look at how the club finished off their season.
Unlucky Result in Final Trip to Hamilton
York9 could have easily walked away with points in their final trip to Hamilton’s Tim Horton’s Field this season. However, a hand ball, which led to a Tristan Borges 71st minute strike from the penalty spot, and a missed extra time penalty kick by Rodrigo Gattas did York9 in.
The club looked confident in the match going forward and were frustrating the Forge attack. York9 created several chances like a very clinical curling effort to the far post from outside the box by Kyle Porter. However, the points were just out of reach. York9 added to their poor record against their Southern Ontario rivals.
Forge FC Lit up at York Lions Stadium
My how things changed in the return match between these two teams at York Lions Stadium. York9 sparkled in front of almost 2,500 fans and lit up Forge FC to a tune of 4-0 on goals from Di Chiara, Adjei, Abzi and Gattas who continues to lead York9’s top scorers with nine goals.
The scoring began on a penalty in the first half and roared on at Lions Stadium with the ball crossing the line three more times in the second half. It was the team’s best performance of the season. It is also against undoubtedly one of the two top teams in the CPL. Also, hurting a rival’s chances in securing the Fall Season is always a positive regardless of whether they have qualified for the final already or not.
A final word with @York9FC's Jimmy Brennan. Overall, happy with the guys today and how they've developed this season. Not the result they wanted, but hats off to Jimmy and his boys for a great inaugural #CanPL season!
'We've made history'#CanPLxOneSoccer | #YORvsHFX | #CanPL pic.twitter.com/MJlCyePeET
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) October 19, 2019
York 9 Extracts Revenge in Winnipeg
York9 went into Winnipeg and avenged their embarrassing 4-2 home loss to Valour FC from just a month ago. After righting the wrong with Forge, York9 did so with Valour by playing them off the pitch with a final score of 4-0. Ryan Telfer got on the score sheet twice as did Simon Adjei in their pursuits of Gattas.
Gattas sits on nine goals, Telfer now has eight, and Adjei with seven. They have become a potent trident attacking force.
Loss to end what can be Considered a Successful Season
In the final game of the season, York9 dropped a 2-0 game to HFX Wanderers. Despite this disappointing end to the season, it can be said that this inaugural season was a success. York9 had a successful run in the Canadian Championship and finished third in the Fall Season as well as overall table. Clearly two teams where head and shoulders above the rest but there is a modicum of respect for coming in third place in a part of the table that showed a lot of parity.
York9 was also the only team outside of the top two to register a positive goal differential despite a season of inconsistency. There is hope heading into next season that the squad can be strengthened and that some of the younger players continue developing. With a year as manager under his belt, Jim Brennan should also be better suited to guide York9 to a more successful 2020.
Our @MLeach680News is with one of @York9FC's star players Ryan Telfer who speaks to today's disappointing end to the @CPLsoccer season what's to come in his off season.
👽 YOR 0 – 2 HFX ⚓️#CanPLxOneSoccer | #YORvsHFX | #CanPL pic.twitter.com/CdV5Bigllr
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) October 19, 2019
PHOTO: Courtesy of the CPL.
