Photo gallery: Forge FC find late winner against Valour FC, continue perfect start

Forge FC continued their perfect start to the 2024 Canadian Premier League season with a late 2-1 victory over Winnipeg’s Valour FC at home Saturday.

Noah Jensen scored a last-minute winner to secure the win in a very close match at Tim Horton’s Field in Hamilton.

Winless Valour FC took the initiative at kick off trying to control the ball and were dangerous early. But Forge slowly regained possession and started to terrorize Valour defence. Terran Campbell point blank shot forced keeper Jonathan Viscosi into a good save. But the first half ended goalless.

Story: Atlético Ottawa defeats Halifax Wanderers on the road, continues strong start to CPL season
Photo gallery: York United earns first win of new CPL season with win over Vancouver FC

Early on the second half, Forge brought in Garven Metusala while Valour made their first substitution at 60^th minutes replacing Gianfranco Facchineri with Juan Pablo Sanchez.

In the 61st minute Forge FC’s Garven Metusala found Daniel Parra on the left wing who dribbled in to the box, cut inside and lay a pass for Tristan Borges who then hit it perfectly into the right post past Viscosi’s hand to give the home side the lead.

Forge FC beat Valour FC 2-1 in Canadian Premier League action in Hamilton Saturday, April 27, 2024. Photo: Indi Kumala/Total Soccer News

Valour was unfazed by the goal and kept the pressure on Forge’s defence. And just five minutes after conceding Valour levelled the game. Antonoglu got the ball from a bad clearance and then passed the ball to Faria. Faria didn’t waste any time and fired a curling shot past Forge’s keeper Chris Kalongo to level the score.

Beni Badibanga had a chance to earn Forge another lead through penalty kick in 76^th minute. However, Badibanga failed to convert the penalty and blasted it wide of the left post. Valour opportunities to find a winner but were unable to beat Kalongo for a second time.

Loading ...

And it was Forge FC who finally found the winner in the stoppage time. Amadou Kone stole the ball and brought drove into the penalty area. He found Noah Jensen, who whipped the ball beyond Viscosi to earn Forge all three points.

A sweet victory for Forge as they go to the top of the CPL table with a perfect nine points while Valour will have to wait a little longer for their first 2024 CPL point.

Forge FC beat Valour FC 2-1 in Canadian Premier League action in Hamilton Saturday, April 27, 2024. Photo: Indi Kumala/Total Soccer News