August 11, 2023...Preview: Not Your Average 905 Derby (from York United FC website)

PREVIEW: NOT YOUR AVERAGE 905 DERBY

The stakes are as high as ever as York United FC visit local rival Forge FC on Saturday

No team within the Canadian Premier League requires any additional motivation when confronted with the prospect of facing the formidable reigning champion, Forge FC. The clash between York United FC and Bobby Smyrniotis' side in Hamilton on Saturday marks the culmination of the season's 905 derby series, and the stakes are as high as ever.

For The Nine Stripes, emerging victorious would be more significant than just levelling the season series. A win would propel their postseason aspirations forward. York currently sits fifth in the standings, tied on points with fourth-ranked Atlético Ottawa, who have played one game fewer.

Head coach Martin Nash knows the upcoming contest at Tim Hortons Field carries immense weight for his squad.

“It's a massive game for us because it puts us right back in the thick of it if we can win,” Nash said during his pre-match press conference on Friday. “It's not easy. They're going to come fired up because they had, maybe, a poor performance for them last game.”

One key to Saturday’s match will be to avoid another heavy defeat at the hands of Forge, who won 4-0 when these two sides met at York Lions Stadium the last time out on July 9.

“We've got a lot of things we had to correct from our last performance against them,” said Nash. “There's no secrets between the teams at this stage. You know what teams are about. Can we stay organized and keep them out and create chances at their end?”

York has excelled on away grounds this season, boasting five wins, two draws, and three losses. Back in May, the Nine Stripes surprised Forge with a 2-1 triumph on enemy turf, powered by Brem Soumaoro's thunderous strike. York's most recent display, a fiery 3-3 draw against Atléti in the nation’s capital last weekend, showcased remarkable determination, and saw the Nine Stripes fall just shy of securing three points.

“I thought it was a great performance in Ottawa, just that we gifted them a few goals which hurt us, and for me, we dropped some points there,” Nash said. “But we got to take the good from it and try to move forward. We got to be better defensively but keep the same attitude and the finishing that we had from the game before. If we can keep scoring goals, we’ll be in a good place.”

York will be expecting striker Brian Wright to replicate his scoring form from last week, after he opened his season account against his former team in Ottawa.

“He’s had a lot of good games this year and solid performances, just wasn’t finding the net so as long as he concentrates on doing the main job of a forward, holding up play, keeping the team in possession and getting in the right areas, goals were always going to come,” Nash said. “It was good for him to get on the scoresheet, and maybe he should have had a second, but he played real well last game and just looking for him to keep progressing.”

Meanwhile, York must keep Forge striker Terran Campbell, the joint top scorer in the league with eight goals, in check. Campbell logged his first CPL hat trick last time out against York and the Nine Stripes will need to make sure that containing him is one of a few changes they make to keep Forge at bay on Saturday.

"Obviously, that's a sore moment for us and it’s quite recent,” said Nash. “So, I'm looking forward to the players to have a reaction. It's a massive game for us. It's not an easy one. But you know, we've been able to go there and get three points this year already so hopefully we can do it again.”

OPPONENT WATCH

Forge are on a 3-4-2 record at home this term in nine matches at Tim Hortons Field.

The Hammers are also unbeaten in their last three consecutive matches with two wins and a draw.

Their last defeat was at Atlético Ottawa on June 25.

Ridwan Ibrahim Asante

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