HIGHLIGHTS: Cavalry FC 1

Cavalry FC won a fourth consecutive home match on Sunday at ATCO Field, increasing their lead at the top of the table with a narrow 1-0 victory over second-place Pacific FC.

The day began with a buzz around Spruce Meadows, with the two sides at the top of the table set for a clash with massive title implications. Neither manager chose to stray too far from previous offerings; Pacific boss James Merriman gave his 19-year-old goalkeeper Emil Gazdov a vote of confidence by starting him after a tough outing at Vancouver FC last week, making three other changes — Djenairo Daniels and Josh Heard coming into the attack.

Cavalry’s Tommy Wheeldon Jr., meanwhile, made two changes, as last week’s off-the-bench goalscorer William Akio got the start — as did Jesse Daley in a packed Cavs midfield.

The game had a frenetic pace from kickoff, as Manny Aparicio nearly put Pacific ahead a couple minutes in with a powerful long-distance blast — moments before Jesse Daley smashed one from just inside the box that barely flew over the bar.

After those fiery opening stages, though, things cooled off significantly and the two teams engaged in more of a tactical chess match. With some physicality and congested areas of the pitch, neither team was able to fully break the other down either in possession or in transition.

So, the foes went to the dressing rooms at halftime scoreless, although Pacific picked up a pair of early yellow cards to Amer Didić and Djenairo Daniels to show for their physical efforts.

Less than two minutes into the second half, Cavalry — now attacking toward the raucous Foot Soldiers end at Spruce Meadows — nearly opened the scoring, with Eryk Kobza putting an attempt off an early corner kick off the goalpost. A few moments later, the Cavs once again found a golden opportunity — Maël Henry bringing down a ball in the box but going down after a grab on the arm from Kunle Dada-Luke, earning the hosts a penalty kick.

Myer Bevan stepped up to take the penalty, slotting it low to his left — just under Gazdov’s diving hand — for his ninth CPL goal of the season and a 1-0 Cavalry lead.

Merriman wasted no time in responding, bringing Easton Ongaro into the game at striker in place of Djenairo Daniels immediately after the goal — and following that up shortly by also introducing Ayman Sellouf and Georges Mukumbilwa. Wheeldon, similarly, made an attacking sub shortly to get Sergio Camargo into the match.

Pacific took over the lion’s share of possession after conceding, trying to pick their way through Cavalry’s defence. The home side, however, created an incredible chance with about 20 minutes to play, finding Akio unmarked in the box with a cross, though Akio’s header couldn’t find the frame. About a minute later, play was up in the other end as Pacific’s Easton Ongaro likewise came close to scoring with his header — and although his attempt was better and did find the target, Marco Carducci made an excellent save to keep it 1-0.

For all their trying, though, Pacific were unable to break through the Cavalry defence and find another top-quality opportunity, and thus had to see the home side take all three points from this clash. Adding further pain to the afternoon right at the finish, though, Pacific fullback Mukumbilwa picked up two yellow cards within about three minutes, getting sent off in the opening stages of added time.

So, Cavalry finished the weekend four points clear of the pack in first place, while Pacific remained in second by the thinnest of margins — tied with three other clubs on 32 points, but slightly ahead on goal differential — with each side having seven games left to play.

BOX SCORE

Goals

52′ — Myer Bevan (Cavalry FC) (Penalty)

Discipline

18′ — Yellow: Amer Didić (Pacific FC)42′ — Yellow: Djenairo Daniels (Pacific FC)56′ — Yellow: Manny Aparicio (Pacific FC)89′ — Yellow: Georges Mukumbilwa (Pacific FC)90+1′ — 2nd Yellow: Georges Mukumbilwa (Pacific FC)