Haworth Brace Sends Fury FC Past FC Montreal 3-1 to Remain Unbeaten in Pre-Season
Published on March 19, 2016 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
OTTAWA, ON - With the NASL regular season rapidly approaching, Ottawa Fury FC continued its roll through the pre-season schedule on Saturday, downing FC Montreal 3-1 at Olympic Stadium. James Bailey opened the scoring early and Carl Haworth scored twice as Ottawa improved to 4-2-0 (W-D-L) in pre-season friendly play.
Saturday's result was never really in doubt and, but for a few missed chances and a couple huge saves from Montreal keeper James Pantemis, the score could have been even more lopsided.
For the first 20 minutes, it was all Ottawa. After Bailey scored on a nice strike from the top of the box inside the opening five minutes, Fury continued to press and Montreal had trouble withstanding the onslaught, leading to a stretch that saw Fury awarded four corner kicks in quick succession.
The tide turned briefly later in the first half as Montreal increased the pressure but Fury was solid defensively, only giving up a few scoring chances along the way, including one that hit the post.
With the exception of a defensive miscue that allowed former Fury midfielder Jeremy Gagnon-Lapare to tie the game, Fury offered the opposition very little.
Fury head coach Paul Dalglish was impressed with the overall performance.
"We wanted to score more goals, we wanted to be a more offensive team and I think we're seeing that now," said Dalglish, whose side has scored at least three goals in each of their past four games. "Today we could have scored another 10, especially in the first half with the amount of chances we created and that was really exciting. As the guys get fitter and sharper, more of those will go in."
By the time the second half started, Fury was back in control as Haworth scored a brace on two similar goals. Both times, with Montreal pressing, Haworth was able to slip behind the defence and go one-on-one with the Montreal keeper, winning that battle both times with a pair of perfect finishes. Haworth could have had another but was robbed by Pantemis earlier in the game.
"I think we create a lot of chances and the tempo of the game was really good," said forward Gerardo Bruna. "I didn't feel like they created many chances against us and I feel like we are playing good attacking football and we're enjoying it."
STARTING XI
Ottawa Fury FC (4-3-3): Romuald Peier, Rich Balchan, Lance Rozeboom, Fernando Timbo, Marcel De Jong, Jonny Steele, Julian de Guzman, James Bailey, Carl Haworth, Gerardo Bruna, Paulo Junior
Substitutions: Mauro Eustaquio, Kyle Porter, Mozzi Gyorio, Dennis Chin
SCORING SUMMARY
3' - OTT: James Bailey
29' - MTL: Jeremy Gagnon-Lapare
57' - OTT: Carl Haworth
87' - OTT: Carl Haworth
Fury FC are just over two weeks away from kicking off their third season in the North American Soccer League (NASL). Ottawa opens the 2016 campaign April 3 in New York - a rematch of last November's NASL Championship Final. Fury FC will host the expansion Miami FC in their home opener at TD Place on April 30.
Fans can renew or buy their 2016 Fury FC season tickets here and become part of a growing legion of fans that has helped make TD Place a fortress.
North American Soccer League Stories from March 19, 2016
- Haworth Brace Sends Fury FC Past FC Montreal 3-1 to Remain Unbeaten in Pre-Season - Ottawa Fury FC
- Indy Eleven Falls 0-1 to Louisville City FC in Exhibition Play - Indy Eleven
- Ledgerwood Selected to Canadian Men's Roster for World Cup Qualifiers - FC Edmonton
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