Cavalry and Forge beat the heat, but not each other, in entertaining 1-1 draw

It was a game that produced everything – except a win.

In a match that could have swung either way, Cavalry FC and Forge FC drew 1-1 on a hot Sunday afternoon at Spruce Meadows.

While the game only yielded two goals, it nonetheless generated plenty of talking points, including a saved penalty from Tobias Warschewski, a couple of struck crossbars and posts by both teams, and a late sending off for Forge after Daniel Parra-Duran earned his second yellow card.

Despite a late attacking push from Cavalry after Forge went down to 10 men, the Hamiltonian’s defence was able to hold on, and both teams left ATCO Field sharing the spoils.

In the end, it was another entertaining match-up between two of the Canadian Premier League’s heavyweights and another worthy chapter in the story of two perennial rivals.

“I think all the fans and especially us players, we’re always up for this game,” said Cavalry centre back Daan Klomp in the post-game press conference. “We know it’s a good fixture and seems to always be entertaining. I hope you (media) guys liked it today, but like I said before, we were unfortunate to not come away with the win.”

The first half ended scoreless, but exactly how is a head-scratcher, as Forge peppered Cavalry’s net with shot after shot.

The Hammers’ first chance came early, courtesy of a header from Kwasi Poku that sailed just wide of Cavalry’s post.

After that, Cavalry ‘keeper Marco Carducci had to be on his toes in the opening, making a handful of saves in the opening 30 minutes to keep Forge off the board.

Kyle Bekker produced another close chance, but his one-timed effort from outside the box rattled off Carducci’s right-hand post.

Forge’s dominance was reflected in the statistics, as they managed 11 shots (four on target) in the first half.

At the other end of the pitch, Cavalry’s offence was much less impressive, as the hosts only managed four shots in the first 45 minutes – none of which were on target.

But it didn’t stay goalless for long after the second half kicked off.

Warschewski had a chance to put the Cavs on the board just a minute into the second half, after half-time sub Sergio Camargo was brought down in Forge’s 18-yard box, resulting in a Cavalry penalty kick.

But though he’d converted his previous two spot kicks this season, Warschewski’s shot was not enough in the corner and a perfect height for Forge keeper Chris Kalongo to make the save and hold onto it.

The hosts made amends for the missed penalty 10 minutes later, however, when Klomp rose to get his head on the end of a pin-point cross from Camargo to claim his first goal of the season.

However, the home team’s fans had likely barely finished their cheering when Forge equalized thanks to a Cavalry own goal.

A near-post corner kick into the box by Kyle Bekker was knocked in by Tom Field, who was scrambling back to his feet after falling to ground.

Both teams produced plenty of chances in the remaining 30-plus minutes; Klomp had another decent header that went wide, Poku struck the post for Forge with a back-post shot, Klomp made a last-ditch diving block to deny Noah Jensen, and then Cavalry’s Mael Henry hit Forge’s crossbar with an impressive shot from distance.

After a studs-up challenge on Charlie Trafford, Parra-Duran’s afternoon came to an early end in the 82nd minute and the Forge player took his marching orders.

With a man advantage, Cavalry pressed for the winner, but Forge’s defensive lines were able to hold admirably, resulting in both teams claiming a point.

Cavalry’s head coach and general manager Tommy Wheeldon Jr. called it an “entertaining” match for the fans, but a tough battle for the players in 32-degree weather.

“It was a crazy game, to be honest,” he said. “I’m sweating and I’m not sure how the boys survived through that. That was very hot for them. Both teams weren’t at full strength but went toe to toe.”

Wheeldon Jr. conceded that Forge were the better side in the first half, but said his decision to put in Camargo and Diego Gutierrez at half-time turned the tide in the hosts’ favour for the remainder of the match.

“I think we finished stronger and thought we were the better side,” he said. “Disappointed not to get the win at the end, but that’s football.”

Wheeldon Jr. saluted the quality of Forge, who were without Tristan Borges, Beni Badibanga, and David Choiniere.

“Let’s not discount they’re a phenomenal side,” he said. “They didn’t like losing here (last time) so they’ve come here and competed. They’re a tough side to beat, that are knocking out an MLS side (in the cup), so you’ve got to give some respect to our opponent as well.

“They made it very tough for us, but I loved the courage and the way we went to play. We threw everything at them but the kitchen sink.”

The result means Cavalry stays in sixth place in the Canadian Premier League table with a 3-3-9 (wins-losses-ties) record. Forge is in third with a 6-4-4 record.

Cavalry’s next match will be on the road against Vancouver FC on July 27, while Forge will take on Halifax Wanderers at Tim Horton’s Field the same day.