| Final Score: Halifax Wanderers 4-0 York United Goalscorers: Dias 11; Bahamboula 26' (pen.), 57', Baï 80' Game of the 2025 season: 84 CPL Match: 679 |
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Match in a minute or less
It was four goals and four matches unbeaten for the Halifax Wanderers on Labour Day Monday after an emphatic 4-0 victory over York United at the Wanderers Grounds.
Substitute Jason Bahamboula was the hero on the day, scoring twice after entering the match in the 19th minute after an injury to Tiago Coimbra. Vitor Dias and Yohan Baï also scored for the Wanderers -- who tallied four times for a second straight match.
The victory saw Halifax hand York just their second loss in their past eleven matches, while also passing them in the table up into fourth position.
Three Observations
A holiday Monday to celebrate for flourishing Wanderers
The tides are changing in Halifax.
After a winless stretch of six matches between July 12 and August 16, during which they were the only team in the league without a victory, they are now four unbeaten and have shifted the narrative and momentum around the team.
Monday's victory over York United was particularly impactful. It served as a crucial six-point swing in the battle for playoff position, as Halifax leapt York in the table and into fourth position.
All this had Halifax head coach Patrice Gheisar in a celebratory mood on Monday.
"Any game that you get a clean sheet, you have to celebrate it," said Gheisar. "Any time that you can score back-to-back four goals, you have to celebrate it. If all of those three things happen in the same game, I think you've got something that you should be proud of."
Jason Bahamboula came off the bench and provided the heroics for Halifax during the match, first winning and then scoring a penalty in the 26th minute, before adding a second in the second half. They were only his second and third goals for the club.
One big question that remains for Halifax, however, is the health of the man he replaced, Tiago Coimbra. The club's leading goalscorer was removed in the 19th minute after suffering an injury while setting up Dias's opening goal. Patrice Gheisar didn't have a full update on his striker following the match, and said they were being cautious with the substitution, but won't know more until further evaluation over the next few days. Coimbra was seen walking after the match, however, including emphatically congratulating Bahamboula in the post-match interview. His status will loom large as he has now either scored (8) or assisted 10 of their last 18 goal.
Having taken care of business well at home over the past few weeks, Halifax now head on the road where they will encounter a significant test. Over the next few weeks, they travel to Hamilton to take on Forge, and then Calgary to face Cavalry. They have never won in club history at either Hamilton Stadium or ATCO Field.
Halifax Wanderers finding consistency, goals during impressive stretch
During their four-match unbeaten run, the Halifax Wanderers have made just one single change to their starting eleven.
That came on Monday, with Ryan Telfer away on international duty with Trinidad and Tobago, replaced by Wesley Timoteo at left wing-back. Otherwise, however, there has been a crucial level of consistency for the Wanderers as it appears they have found their preferred eleven.
This has manifested itself particularly in an offensive explosion from the Wanderers of late. After scoring just 10 goals in 10 games between May 31 and August 16, they have now scored 10 in their past three matches.
Of particular note lately have been a few changes. Adam Pearlman is a revelation at right wing-back, with his excellent ball-playing abilities able to shine further up the field and his energy to get up and down the touchline outstanding.
Jefferson Alphonse, meanwhile, is thriving in Halifax's back three. His ability to progress the ball with his dribbling, as well as key defensive interventions, were on display again on Monday, winning eight of 12 duels.
And Vitor Dias, who opened the scoring on Monday, seems to be getting better each week as a dualling number ten beside Sean Rea. Gheisar mentioned that partnership is especially important to the recent offensive success for Halifax, as those two players have been brilliant in the way they create in attack.
A crucial factor as well, they haven't been under the same pressure to score late in matches because they have been so better early in games. Monday was the third consecutive match in which the Wanderers have scored first, and just the fifth time all season they have led at the half.
Gheisar said that he doesn't want his currently selected starting eleven to get comfortable, and increasingly, there are players pushing for those starting spots. But the chemistry being built by having that group play significant minutes together over the past month has been evident.
York United uncharacteristically lack compete
It is fair to say that Monday's loss for York United was out of character.
It was the first time all season, in all competitions, that the Nine Stripes have lost by more than a single goal -- and they lost by four.
The fight that has come to characterize the team this season just wasn't present for the full 90 minutes as it has been. Despite significantly outshooting (19-8 attempted) and outpossessing (58.6 per cent) the Halifax Wanderers at home on Monday, they managed just 0.92 expected goals and did not look lethal, or desperate enough, in front of goal.
With a few key absences, namely illness to Riley Ferrazzo and Orlando Botello, a suspension to Adonijah Reid, and international absences for Steffen Yeates and Shola Jimoh, York were forced to make three changes to their starting eleven on Monday.
Without Botello and Ferrazzo, in particular, York were forced to get creative at the left wing-back position and played Luke Singh there. While it certainly wasn't the root of their issue, it only lasted until half-time when Singh was replaced.
"I think, again, today, it's not about names," said York United head coach Mauro Eustáquio. "I think it's just a collective, we didn't have personality, we didn't have the will, and that hurt us."
What They Said
"We just have to keep believing that every game we can get better. And if we do that, we're at a decent place, and this is a good time, September 1, on a long weekend, for us to be performing that well. " — Halifax Wanderers head coach Patrice Gheisar
"I think today was very clear. I think we didn't compete. I think that's what it came down to. I think with the ball I mean, we have some chances. We were in front of the goal. We just didn't shoot, so that we're not hungry to score goals. " — York United head coach Mauro Eustáquio
CanPL.ca Player of the Match
Jason Bahamboula, Halifax Wanderers
After making an unexpectedly early appearance off the bench after an injury to Tiago Coimbra, Bahamboula was excellent. He won and then scored a penalty in the 26th minute, before scoring a second in the 57th. He also contested 15 duels, winning eight, during a brilliant performance.
What’s next?
The Halifax Wanderers are headed to Hamilton on Saturday, September 6 for a meeting with top-of-the-table Forge (5 p.m. AT). York, meanwhile, are back at home where they host Cavalry FC on Friday, September 5 (7:30 p.m. ET).
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