Home sweet Halifax. HFX Wanderers ended their five-match losing streak on their August long weekend return to Wanderers Grounds, downing Valour 1-0 on Monday.

Chances were few and far between in the first half, with goalkeepers Christian Oxner and Mathias Janssens coming up with a few big saves to hold proceedings scoreless. Set piece headers from centrebacks Peter Schaale and Matthew Arnone caused early troubles for Valour.

The Wanderers took the lead in the 57th minute via those aforementioned centrebacks. Schaale’s leaping flick-on grazed Arnone as it headed for the open net, giving HFX a home goal following a two-week road swing.

Valour was unable to find an equalizer. Substitute Glenn Muenkat came as close as anyone in the second half, sending a ball wide after Oxner was pulled out of position. A late red card awarded to Jordan Murrell sealed Valour’s fate, followed by a failed call for a third injury-time penalty in as many games, as they remain without a win in 11 matches.

We’ll next see both clubs again in the CPL tripleheader slated for Saturday, August 10. HFX will stay at home to host Cavalry FC (1:00 p.m. ET, 2:00 p.m. AT, on OneSoccer), while Valour heads to York Region to play York9 FC (3:30 p.m. ET, on OneSoccer).

Box Score

Goals

58′ – Matthew Arnone (HFX Wanderers FC)

Discipline

41′ Yellow – Thomasz Skublak (HFX Wanderers FC)

82′ Yellow – Martín Arguiñarena (Valour FC)

90′ Red – Jordan Murrell (Valour FC)

90+2’ Yellow – Diego Gutiérrez (Valour FC)

Three Key Performers

Mohamed Kourouma (HFX Wanderers FC)

HFX’s attacking workhorse was again effective alongside Luis Perea and Thomaz Skublak. Three key passes, including the corner that led to the match’s only goal.

Peter Schaale (HFX Wanderers FC)

Credited with an assist, HFX’s goal was nearly his own. Schaale’s leaping, perfectly-placed near-post header was the difference in the match, with his defensive work allowing it to be the only goal of the match.

Michael Petrasso (Valour FC)

Unable to rescue his team late like Wednesday, Michael Petrasso was still equally influential on the right side. Even in injury time, down a man, Petrasso was a guiding light, creating a corner after losing two markers.