MATCH RECAP: Fury FC Open Canadian Championship with Clutch Win
May 4, 2017 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
OTTAWA,ON - With plenty of Canadian talent on display at TD Place - the scene was set for the first chapter of the 2017 Battle of the North in the Canadian Championship Qualifying Round and Fury FC didn't disappoint, grabbing a crucial 1-0 win, Wednesday night at TD Place thanks to a late match winner from Ryan Williams.
After scoring his first of the season last weekend against Charleston in USL action, Williams tallied for the second straight match, this time giving Fury FC the win with his 89th minute marker to the delight of a boisterous crowd that included his mother who flew all the way from Birkenhead, England to watch her son in action.
After a cautious start by both sides, things started to heat up after a late challenge by Netan Sansara on Eddie Edward in the 18th minute that left the former FC Edmonton player fuming. A quick huddle with the referee left both players with a booking early on in an effort to establish control on the match. With Fury FC beginning to take control of possession, things again began to heat up as FC Edmonton forward Dean Shiels was lucky to receive only a yellow card as his late studs-up tackle on Onua Obasi came nowhere near the ball.
Canadian International Callum Irving got the start for Fury FC and made an outstanding save on the cusps of halftime to deny Shiels and the Eddies the opening goal.
The second half looked promising for Fury FC as they maintained the offensive pressure seen throughout the first half, bombarding the Eddies' defence with quality crosses. A crisp 51st minute through-ball from Dos Santos sprung Ryan Williams, which was brilliantly swept away by a clean tackle from Shawn Nicklaw on the edge of the penalty box.
Pure Canuck talent was put on display in the 59th minute as Irving again came up clutch making two outstanding saves as both Tomi Ameobi and Allan Zebie sent efforts on goal. Ameobi's left-footed strike was parried away across the face of goal by Irving, who was back up on his feet in the blink of an eye, diving across to deny Zebie with an impressive kick save from what should have been a simple tap-in finish. The Vancouverite's efforts were met by a rousing applaud from fans and congratulatory taps on the back from his defenders.
Ottawa Fury FC's consistent pressure finally came to fruition in the 89th minute as the other Canadian keeper on the pitch, Tyson Farago, came out to challenge a cross but was unable to swallow the ball, eventually leading to a calm finish down the middle of goal by Ryan Williams - a goal all spectators of this contest the saw coming. The final whistle blew a few minutes later, putting to a close an eventful and emotional first chapter of this Battle of the North. Chapter two goes next Wednesday, May 10th in Edmonton.
Fury FC will be back in action this weekend as they host former England international Joe Cole and the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday, May 6.
Fury FC single-game tickets and Season tickets for the 2017 USL season are available at OttawaFuryFC.com, by calling 613.232.6767 X1 or in person at The Box Office at TD Place.
Post-game comments:
Fury FC GM and Head Coach Paul Dalglish:
"Football means something to us and it certainly means something for the players to play in the Canadian Championship. I thought you saw two teams that really wanted to win and hungry to play. I thought that we controlled the game and we deserved the win tonight. It's a good result for us, almost ideal as we wanted to keep a clean sheet and get a win."
Fury FC midfielder, Ryan Williams:
"It was nice to score. When your family comes to watch you, it's always a nice occasion. My mom hasn't seen me play for two years, so to get a goal here tonight was very special. But most importantly, we got the win and it gives us a really good chance in Edmonton next week."
Fury FC goalkeeper, Callum Irving:
"Coming into this game we knew it was going to be a battle. There is a lot of pride on the line and a lot at stake between these two teams. I think both teams came into it ready to fight for the first leg, but I'm really proud and happy that we were able to turn that battle into a huge 1-0 win. "
Match Report
Starting XI:
Ottawa Fury FC (3-4-3): Irving; Obasi, Martin Del Campo, McEleney; Campbell, Rozeboom, Dixon, Edward; Sito (Sanon 79'), Dos Santos (Hume 73'), Williams
FC Edmonton (4-4-2): Farago; Sansara, Diakité, Watson, Nicklaw; Dustin, Ledgerwood, Zebie (Di Biase 70'), Fisk (Nyassi 46'); Shiels (Keegan 62'), Ameobi
Scoring Summary:
89' OTT - Williams
Caution Summary:
19' EDM - Sansara
19' OTT - Edward
37' EDM - Shiels
70' OTT - Dos Santos
Ejection Summary:
None
Next Match: May 6 vs Tampa Bay Rowdies - 2 p.m | TD Place
Next Home Match: May 6 vs Tampa Bay Rowdies - 2 p.m | TD Place
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- MATCH RECAP: Fury FC Open Canadian Championship with Clutch Win - Ottawa Fury FC
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