VICTORIA, BC (July 17, 2019) – Forge FC returned to winning ways on Saturday against Pacific FC in Victoria. Tristan Borges had a brace in the road victory, and captain Kyle Bekker had one assist in the 3-2 victory. It was an exciting game that helped set Forge up for a home test against HFX Wanderers. The East-Coast outfit has been busy thus far this season, and Wednesday’s test against Forge was their third in a stretch of seven games in 21 days.

Forge FC Win at Home: Tristan Borges, Kyle Bekker, Brilliant

.@HfxWanderersFC in the middle of a tough stretch of soccer that sees them play 7 games in 21 days: – Home v. Ottawa

– Home v. Cavalry

– in Hamilton

– in Victoria

– in Ottawa

– in York

– in Edmonton#CanPL — Louis Butko (@Louis_Butko) July 17, 2019

A Clear Style

Forge controlled the overwhelming majority of the play in the first half, with a few chances forcing Jan-Michael Williams into good saves. Throughout the Spring season and thus far in the Fall season, Bobby Smyrniotis’s side have become a possession-oriented, attacking side. Forge FC have finished with over 50 percent possession in each of their last three matches. This includes a whopping 66.4 percent against FC Edmonton and 58 percent against HFX Wanderers.

Despite the team’s ability to keep the ball and generate chances, there are still a lot of good opportunities going begging. If Emery Welshman completes his rumored move to Israel, finishing could suffer even more. However, Anthony Novak has looked good in his limited outings, and is due to return from injury this week.

Forge FC Tristan Borges, Kyle Bekker show Set Piece Prowess

Bekker’s 36th minute free kick opened the scoring. Welshman made a run toward the near post and his presence put off Williams in the HFX goal. The visiting goalkeeper didn’t cover himself in glory on the play, but the second goal was even worse. After Marcel Zajac broke through the lines and put a hard shot off of the keeper’s face, Forge set up for a corner kick. Tristan Borges took from the left, and his delivery curled past Williams and into the net for the Olimpico goal.

THAT'S SEVEN ? @tristandborges bangs in his second goal FROM A CORNER ? FOR 2 – 0 HFX? ⚽️ Two quick goals has @ForgeFCHamilton ahead over @HfxWanderersFC in the first half! ➡️ Tune in for the match on https://t.co/hishXepRT3 ? #CanPLxOneSoccer | #FORvsHFX pic.twitter.com/dHgju4p87P — OneSoccer (@onesoccer) July 17, 2019

After the match, HFX Head Coach Stephen Hart told the media that Williams had sustained an injury to his eye and was taken to the hospital. No other update was available at the time.

Late Drama

Halifax didn’t generate too much going forward in the second half either. The biggest moment of the second half came in the 80th minute when a seemingly innocuous corner kick struck an HFX Wanderer’s player on the arm. The referee did not hesitate to blow the whistle for a spot kick and Forge FC captain Kyle Bekker stepped up to take.

Christian Oxner, who came on for Williams at half, made an excellent save to keep the game at 2-0. Speaking to the media after the game, Forge FC Head Coach Bobby Smyrniotis said that Bekker was the designated taker and is typically “automatic” from 12 yards. The Hamilton coach praised the young Canadian, Oxner, for the fantastic save and suggested that Bekker wouldn’t dwell on the miss, but would be happy with the three points.

A few minutes later, Forge FC keeper Triston Henry raced out to contest a ball over the top to Akeem Garcia. Garcia beat Henry and the keeper was forced to foul at the edge of the box to prevent a golden opportunity. The resulting free kick was straight into Henry’s arms. The home side held on for a 2-0 final.

Next Test for Forge

With their second win from three games in the Fall season, Forge have built a respectable foundation. Their next action is at home to Valour FC on Saturday. The club may be without defender Dom Samuel, who sustained a shoulder injury and was substituted at halftime. With all of Forge’s attacking prowess, they’ve looked shaky defensively at times and Valour could prove a dangerous opponent. Expect to see Daniel Krutzen move into central defense. The Belgian has been an invaluable player across the defense this year. If Forge FC’s Borges and Bekker can continue their brilliance, the side can expect to keep getting great results.