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Halifax, Nova Scotia - May 20, 2022: Canadian Premier League match between the HFX Wanderers FC and Forge FC at the Wanderers Grounds in Halifax, Nova Scotia. (Trevor MacMillan/HFX Wanderers FC)
Forge FC hands HFX an historic loss at Wanderers Grounds
May 20, 2022

Forge FC walked into Wanderers Grounds and handed HFX a 4-0 loss on Friday (May 20). It was the worst loss in Wanderers history on their home pitch.

In fact, it was the first time through three matches this season that HFX failed to secure all three points at home.

“Three points are always important,” said Forge FC head coach and technical director Bobby Smyrniotis post-match. “Games like this when you’re playing away – especially in Halifax, which we know from the short history of this league is a tough place to play – when you get a win like we did today, it really helps you move forward.”

Forge FC saw the debut of Rezart Rama, whose signing was officially announced by the club this week. The former Nottingham Forest FC defender made a key pass in the build-up to the first of David Choinière’s two goals against the Wanderers. He also defended as advertised, asserting himself physically as part of a three-man backline for Forge FC, along with Garven Metusala and Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson.

“Well, when you look at our last game against Ottawa when we had no natural centre-backs, it’s nice having one in your lineup,” Smyrniotis said. “(Rama is) a player that we scouted over the past year, or so. So when the opportunity came up to bring him over here – he’s a quality player and you just saw a glimpse of it. This young man is excellent and we expect him to be an important piece to how we defend and how we play.”

Forge FC went with a different look up-front, with Terran Campbell playing as a false nine in a duel striker formation with Emery Welshman. Along with Choinière, Forge’s attack caused all kinds of havoc for the Wanderers’ defense.

“With (Campbell) playing as a false nine, I felt we had more of a target presence in there,” said Welshman, who scored his first Forge goal in almost three years Friday night. “He’s a lot more physical than the guys who play in that position normally. We were just trying to feed off of his movements and hold-off plays.”

The final Forge goal came off of the foot of Woobens Pacius, who was subbed on in the 65th minute. The comfortable lead allowed the club to use all five substitutions and give some of Forge’s younger players valuable playing time, including Noah Jensen, Marcus Caldeira, and Sebastian Castello.

Forge next plays on Wednesday against Major League Soccer’s CF Montréal in the Canadian Championship quarterfinal at Saputa Stadium.