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HFX Wanderers move into 4th place with comprehensive win over FC Edmonton
Canadian Premier League

HFX Wanderers FC were firing on all cylinders on Wednesday night.

HFX easily dispatched FC Edmonton 3-1 at UPEI’s Alumni Field, grabbing their first win at The Island Games and moving into a tie for fourth place with Pacific FC.

The last-place Eddies, meanwhile, are five points adrift of a top four spot after the loss, and are winless (with one point) in four games.

A back-and-forth opening half-hour saw Edmonton with the best scoring chance coming from the penalty spot. Goalkeeper Christian Oxner, in his first start of The Island Games, denied FCE striker Tomi Ameobi with a perfectly-timed dive to his left.

The Wanderers built on that momentum in the remaining minutes of the first half, starting with the opening goal. A piercing Andre Rampersad through ball found Akeem Garcia past the Eddies defence, and the Trinidadian  carefully slotted home past Edmonton ‘keeper Connor James.

HFX added a second goal before the halftime whistle with João Morelli beating the offside trap, and then smashing his a shot across James’ body.

Stephen Hart’s team continued to pounce in the second half and eventually found a third goal via a lovely Morelli volley.

Jeff Paulus’ side, while owning 61 per cent possession across the 90 minutes, looked disjointed in offence and rarely penetrated the Wanderers’ defence – especially in the second half. Their lone offensive bright moment came in the 86th minute when substitute Marcus Velado-Tsegaye smashed a ball into the right-top corner from distance.

Both sides return to action on Saturday. The Eddies face Valour FC (12pmET/1pmAT, OneSoccer/CBC) while HFX takes on York9 FC (3pmET/4pmAT, OneSoccer/CBC).


BOX SCORE

Goals
4’– Akeem Garcia (HFX Wanderers FC)
83’– João Morelli (HFX Wanderers FC)
76’– João Morelli (HFX Wanderers FC)
86’– Marcus Velado-Tsegaye (FC Edmonton)

Discipline
37’ Yellow – Jeannot Esua (FC Edmonton)
64’ Yellow – Jems Geffrard (HFX Wanderers FC)


Volkswagen Keys to the Match (presented on OneSoccer before kick-off).
Volkswagen Keys to the Match (presented on OneSoccer before kick-off).

FC Edmonton: Carry momentum – The Eddies’ heroic two-goal comeback against Atlético Ottawa felt like a lifetime ago on Wednesday. Jeff Paulus’ group failed to carry over their good form and fortune, starting with an agonizing first-half penalty save from HFX’s Christian Oxner.

HFX Wanderers FC: Attacking transition – A+ performance from the Wanderers in this department, starting with Akeem Garcia’s opener. A brilliant piece of front-foot, attack transition play – Andre Rampersad’s quick thinking and perfectly-timed run helped make the goal possible.


TOP PERFORMER

 João Morelli (HFX Wanderers FC)

The Brazilian attacking midfielder bagged a brace with two beautifully-taken finishes. Morelli was all over FCE’s defence, recording a match-leading three shots on target and two key passes.

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