Cavalry FC beat Valour FC 1-0 at ATCO Field Sunday, to move up to second place in the Canadian Premier League.
Cavalry FC’s coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. acknowledged it wasn’t a pretty win. But he was pleased nonetheless.
“The only stat that ever really matters is the one that tells the score line,” said Wheeldon Jr. to media. “We can get carried away but we’ve only limited Valour to one shot (on goal). That’s good tactical play.
“A good craftsman uses the tools that are available. Right now, we’re not fully fit. I’ve had to bring off Sergio (Camargo), as we did. Ben Fisk has joined us late, is not physically fit. Joe Mason’s gone back-to-back 90 plus minutes. These guys are just getting minutes under their belt.
“That’s where I’m pleased with the guys. They can say, ‘you know what, if we’re up, you’re not scoring on us.’ And they shut the door.”
Loading ...And Cavalry FC attacking midfielder Sergio Camargo admitted Valour FC pushed the Calgary club Sunday.
“I think we weathered the storm,” said Camargo. “We started off on the front foot in both halves. But got fortunate to score the goal and take the lead. They came out really good in the second half and tried to get the goal. I think we weathered the storm and got the three points.”
Cavalry FC goal came from training
Cavs Mohamed Farsi scored the game’s lone goal just before half time after being played through by Sergio Camargo. And the move that led to the goal came from the training ground, according to Camargo.
“We work on this a lot in practice, just trying to get into this pockets. And Davy (David Norman Jr.) was able to find me. I was able to spin off the guy. You got to make a man commit before you can pass the ball off.
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“And Mo (Farsi), we know his speed and what he likes to do, stay on wing and attack inside. So I had an eye out for him. You could tell the crowd knew Mo was about to finish there. You could feel the emotion coming before the goal.”
Positives for Valour FC despite loss
Valour FC’s head coach Rob Gale was pleased with the overall performance, despite his side losing its fourth straight.
“I thought we played really, really well,” said Gale after the match. “Small margins. We pegged them back second half. One team on the front foot. Limited their chances.
“You come to away games and play that well, it gives us a lot to build on.”
Sunday’s result moves Cavalry FC to within one point of their next opponent first place Pacific FC. The Cavs host the Victoria club Wednesday, August 11. Valour FC drop to third and next face FC Edmonton Thursday, August 12.
