York9 FC earn 3-1 win over FC Edmonton in Qualifying Round 2

York9 FC put themselves in position to advance to Qualifying Round 3 with a 3:1 victory over FC Edmonton in the opening leg of their Qualifying Round 2 matchup in the 2019 Canadian Championhip.  All three York9 goals came off headers from set plays. FC Edmonton got one back midway through the second half to secure an important away goal. The match took place June 5 at York Lions Stadium. The two Canadian Premier League teams will play in the decisive second leg at Clarke Stadium on Edmonton on June 12.

The home side was relentless in their attack in the opening half. Their first shot on target came when Ryan Telfer dribbled up the middle of the park, struck a long range shot that skidded on the wet grass, but Dylon Powley easily collected (14’).

Playmaker Rodrigo Gattas sent a clever ball through to Telfer, who skied the ball over the bar (23’).

York9’s first goal came off their first corner of the match. Telfer’s left footed in swing ball was solidly struck by the head of Luca Gasparotto who had just cut in front of his defender Kareem Moses, keeper Powley had no chance (28’).

York9 doubled their lead in nearly identical fashion, this time from the opposite corner. It was a Kyle Porter right footed in swing that found the head of Gattas, crushed it into the goal. Once again it was Moses who lost track of his defending duties, beat for the second time in four minutes (31’).

It took less than six minutes into the second frame for York9 to get a third goal, again by a header off a set piece. Porter the deliverer, Simon Adjei the receiver. Easily headed down into the net (51’).

Down three, FC Edmonton showed signs of life, forced the very best out of Nathan Ingham. A free kick from 20+ yards, Ingham got a right hand to parry it over the bar. On the ensuing corner Moses missed the target with his header (54’).

York9 could have made it four as Powley spilled a Diyaeddine Abzi cross into the box, Wataru Murofushi pounced on the rebound, but hit it over the bar (57’).

The match then swayed into the visitor’s favor. FC Edmonton Captain Ramon Soria found the ball at his feet, with time, drifted a right footed shot over the bar from distance (61’).

Edmonton got on the scoreboard midway through the frame. York9 failed to clear a throw in, Randy Edwini Bonsu mistimed his strike, but the ball fell to Oumar Diouck. The Belgian striker roofed it with power (66’).

Off a corner, Edwini-Bonsu headed on goal, Ingham caught it without problem (74’). Ingham called upon again, blocked a close-range shot (82’).

Edmonton were the dominant side in the last 25 minutes of the match, had long spells deep in the York9 side of the park. They created many half chances, had some missed opportunities and forced some desperate defending from the home side.

In the final minute of the match, Edmonton nearly got a second goal. A late ball floated into the box found its way into the net, however, Ingham was fouled on the play, and the goal was disallowed.

York 9 Starting XI had Canadian Nathan Ingham in goal. The 4-1-4-1 lineup included an all Canadian back line of Diyaeddine Abzi, Daniel Gogarty, Luca Gasparotto, Morey Doner from left to right. Wataru Murofushi was the defensive midfielder played behind three Canadians; Ryan Telfer, Kyle Porter, Captain Manuel Aparicio as well as Rodrigo Gattas from left to right across the midfield. Simon Adjei as the lone striker up front.

Coach Jim Brennan made all three of his changes in the second half. Adjei replaced by Canadian Michael Cox (71’), Gattas with Canadian Joseph Di Chiara (81’) and Murofushi with Justin Springer (90’+2).

FC Edmonton starting XI had Canadian Dylon Powley in goal. They played a 4-2-3-1 formation. Canadians Bruno Zebie and Mele Temguia joined Kareem Moses, Jeannot Esua from left to right across the back line. Yongchan Son and Captain Ramon Soria were defensive midfielders. Canadians David Doe, Philippe Lincourt-Joseph and Randy Edwini Bonsu filled the midfield from left to right. Oumar Diouck was the lone striker up front.

Edmonton coach Jeff Paulus, made two changes at halftime Lincourt-Joseph was replaced James Marcelin and Doe with Tomi Ameobi. The final substitution took place when Edwini-Bonsu was replaced with Canadian Marcus Velado-Tsegave (80’).