August 4, 2021...Spanish Inquisition! Rivero grabs superb goal as York United take derby spoils (from York United FC website)

  
Spanish Inquisition! Rivero grabs superb goal as York United take derby spoils
AUGUST 4, 2021
Canadian Premier League
by MARTY THOMPSON, CANPL.CA

York United exacted some cruel 905 Derby revenge Wednesday, besting their Ontario rivals Forge FC 1-0 
in Hamilton’s 2021 CanPL home opener at Tim Hortons Field.

Alvero Rivero’s 54th-minute opening goal and later sending off were the most notable moments from a match 
jam-packed with controversial calls, chances, and end-to-end football.

Forge, fresh off beating York 1-0 in a reverse fixture on Friday was forced to change their gameplan 
in the 15th minute when stalwart defensive midfielder Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson left the match due 
to a head injury. Paolo Sabak took his place, changing the midfield complexion much earlier than coach 
Bobby Smyrniotis would have hoped.

York enjoyed a solid spell following the early substitution. Michael Petrasso slipped through the midfield 
off a bum pass and attempted a difficult through-the legs feed on a two-on-one, ending their best chance 
of the game to that point. A similar play came in the 30th minute, when Cedric Toussaint dispossessed 
a Forge player and released Petrasso. His right-footed shot was parried by Triston Henry and stood 
as the only York shot to find the target in the first half.

Tim Hortons Field erupted like a long-dormant volcano in the 25th minute when Josh Novarro hit the deck 
inside the 18-yard box but referee Fabrizio Stasolla dashed their hopes at a penalty, instead carding 
the Costa Rican for simulation. Forge would later be given a penalty in the 40th minute when Borges 
smartly drew the foul after side-stepping Toussaint’s play at the ball. His spot-kick was saved by Ingham, 
firing up the Nine Stripes.

Forge settled into a first-half grove in the slower, newly-installed turf, grabbing 69.5% possession 
through the first 45 minutes – the most of any half this season by quite some margin. Their best chance 
from open play came when weekend 905 Derby goalscorer Mo Babouli took a ball over the top and, while 
one-on-one with Ingham, dinked the ball off the far post, leaving the match scoreless.

York managed to feed off scraps left by Forge’s midfield all match, winning the ball high and trying 
to generate chances direct – that’s exactly how Alvaro Rivero scored the match’s opening goal in the 
53rd minute. Noah Verhoeven caused an errant headed clearance that landed in the Spaniard’s lap just 
outside of the 18-yard box. Rivero charged towards goal and clunked an opener off Henry’s attempted save.

From there, the Nine Stripes looked favourites to win. Substitute Osvaldo Ramirez was unfairly called 
offside on a golden opportunity a few minutes after the goal as Jimmy Brennan’s side grew confident… 
but it didn’t last long.

Rivero was sent off in the 64th minute when he impeded a Forge free-kick, sending Stasolla to his 
pocket twice for a second yellow card offense.

Forge stepped their foot on the accelerator for the remaining 20-odd minutes. Their best chance came 
in the final 15 minutes when Babouli’s top-of-the-six shot was blocked by a sliding Dominick Zator 
and cleared – one of an astounding 11 clearances on the night.

The result gave York some much-deserved revenge for Friday’s result at York Lions Stadium – their home 
opener – as they spoiled the party in the two-time champion’s long-awaited return home.

BOX SCORE

Goals
54' — Alvaro Rivero (York United)

Discipline
5' – Yellow: Chrisnovic N’sa (York United)
25' – Yellow: Josh Novarro (Forge FC)
41' – Yellow: Alvaro Rivero (York United)
64' – Second Yellow: Alvaro Rivero (York United)
76' – Yellow: Max Ferrari (York United)
81' – Yellow: Nik Giantsopoulos (York United)

back to 2021 York United FC menu

.

.