Wanderers break losing streak, draw with Cavalry FC in 'keeper duel
The Halifax Wanderers have broken their losing streak, tying Cavalry FC 0-0 in a match that saw both goalkeepers Rayane Yesli and Marco Carducci stand tall for their respective clubs against numerous chances.
Both clubs entered the weekend having lost four matches in a row. In many ways, it also felt like the most important match of Wanderers head coach Patrice Gheisar's tenure in Halifax. But with a shorter turnaround given their Natal Day contest, Gheisar opted to rotate his squad, with Jefferson Alphonse coming in on defence and midfielders Sean Rea and Vitor Dias adding some attacking bite.
Gheisar also tweaked his formation, running a back three with Ryan Telfer and Adam Pearlman playing as wing-backs. It looked like the Wanderers might get an opportunity early as Cavalry's Callum Montgomery had a hand ball in his box but it was missed by referee Sebastian Noshinravani, who didn't see it as he was running into position.
Rea helped create Halifax's first big chance as the former CF Montréal product stole the ball in the final third, with it eventually finding Dias, who sent a backheel pass to Lorenzo Callegari. The Frenchman sent a hard, low shot towards goal but it was stopped by Carducci. Tiago Coimbra and Rea also had shots that ultimately went wide in the first half.
It was soon Yesli's turn to steal the show as he made a lunging stop to save a shot from Cavalry's Tobias Warschewski in the 34th minute. Later, he thwarted Goteh Ntignee on a breakaway. The Montréal-raised 'keeper made six saves on the night.
Rea continued to create in the second half, whipping in a dangerous cross that connected with Coimbra but again, Carducci managed to make the save.
Neither side found of the back of the net despite nearly 30 shots between them.
"I thought the guys did well, of course you want to win. I think at the end of the day, if we score all of our chances we win, but that's not the way it plays out, and we'll take a very important point and move forward and get ready for next week," said Gheisar post-match.
With the draw, the Wanderers ended their losing streak at four matches and earned a precious point. They now sit at 25 points — tied with York United FC — and one point behind Cavalry, who are third on the table.
Halifax continues their road trip as they face Pacific FC next week.
Cover Photo Credit: Mike Sturk / Cavalry FC
