Cavalry FC extended their unbeaten streak to eight and broke a four-game winless run on Saturday as they got the better of Forge FC at ATCO Field, winning 1-0 thanks to Tobias Warschewski’s fifth CPL goal of the season.

The hosts threw a bit of a different-looking lineup at Forge, with five changes to the side that drew at Pacific last weekend. Tom Field came into the side at left-back and Eryk Kobza made his first start since May 11, while Warschewski got the nod up top after scoring the prior week. Meanwhile, Forge opted not to drastically change what worked so well against York United, the only changes being Malik Owolabi-Belewu playing in defence and Chris Kalongo returning in goal.

The home side were the more aggressive to begin the match, as Cavalry had more than 65 per cent of the ball in the first 15 minutes and created a few major opportunities early. Shamit Shome had a clear look at goal and could’ve got a shot off were it not for an outstanding tackle by Owolabi-Belewu, and moments later Kobza was on the end of a cross but his attempt to knock it in put the ball over the bar.

Forge fought back quickly though, nearly scoring from a corner in the 21st minute and starting to establish much more control of the ball in the attacking half.

The first half ended scoreless, though Forge likely welcomed the whistle more as Cavalry finished the half with 10 shots, having been unable to capitalize on their advantage.

After the break, the match continued in similar fashion as three minutes in Cavalry looked almost certain to score, with the ball bouncing chaotically in Forge’s goal mouth as Warschewski nearly put it in on the third attempt with a bicycle kick, but again it was Owolabi-Belewu with the last-ditch defending to keep it out.

Just before the game ticked past an hour, Cavalry’s moment finally arrived. Lucas Dias played through the backline to an overlapping Fraser Aird, who sent it back across goal, possibly off the foot of Sergio Camargo, into the path of Warschewski who finished and put the hosts in front.

In the final half hour, Cavalry still had the greater share of chances as they sought to kill off the match. A burst of energy from Forge in the late moments brought them closer to the equalizer, but it was not enough as Marco Carducci held onto his clean sheet.

Just before the 90th minute, Forge’s hopes were fully dashed as they went down to 10 men, Khadim Kane seeing a straight red card after an entanglement with Diego Gutiérrez.

The Cavs therefore returned to the win column with their second of the year, moving — at least for the night — back into the playoff picture.

BOX SCORE

Lineups

Cavalry FC: Carducci; Aird, Kobza, Klomp, Field (Montgomery 81′); Gutiérrez, Trafford (Dias 55′); Shome, Camargo (Daley 69′), Brooks (Akio 69′); Warschewski

Forge FC: Kalongo; Duncan, Achinioti-Jönsson, Owolabi-Belewu, Parra; Hojabrpour, Borges (Tavernier 85′), Bekker (Jensen 69′); Choinière (Koné 85′), Poku, Badibanga (Kane 85′)

Goals

59′ — Tobias Warschewski (Cavalry FC)

Discipline

8′ — Yellow: Béni Badibanga (Forge FC)
34′ — Yellow: Charlie Trafford (Cavalry FC)
41′ — Yellow: Lleyton Brooks (Cavalry FC)
45+ 1′ — Yellow: Tobias Warschewski (Cavalry FC)
45+1′ — Yellow: Diego Gutiérrez (Cavalry FC)
57′ — Yellow: Malik Owolabi-Belewu (Forge FC)
79′ — Yellow: Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson (Forge FC)
83′ — Yellow: Shamit Shome (Cavalry FC)
89′ — Red: Khadim Kane (Forge FC)