York United salvaged their first point of the 2021 CPL season as a late Jordan Wilson header equalized for the Nine Stripes in the 82nd minute, sharing the points in a 2-2 draw with Pacific FC on Wednesday.
It was Pa-Modou Kah’s group that dictated much of the early play. However, York once again showed a second wind in the closing minutes, as this time around their efforts were enough to earn a point after their comeback bid fell just short in a 2-1 loss to Cavalry FC last weekend.
Pacific, fresh off a convincing 2-0 win over HFX Wanderers on opening day, swapped two starters from their contest against Halifax. with Kunle Dada-Luke and Abdoulaye Samake taking the places of Chris Lee and Thomas Meilleur-Giguere from Saturday.
Jimmy Brennan also made two changes to his XI that came up short against the Cavs on Sunday, as Isaiah Johnston came into the lineup for Jordan Wilson while Cedric Toussaint slotted in place for injured captain Roger Thompson.
Both sides failed to create significant scoring opportunities in the opening half hour, with the Nine Stripes registering the lone shot on target before the drinks break despite Pacific enjoying nearly 70% of possession to the 30′ mark.
Mere seconds after the stop in play, York would find the opening goal against the run of play as Max Ferrari whipped a dangerous ball into the back post for Diyaeddine Abzi who applied the finishing touch thanks to a header in spectacular fashion to make it 1-0.
32’ – @yorkutdfc 1-0 @Pacificfccpl @maxthegod20 ➡️ @Abzi__20 ➡️ back of the net. #YRKvPAC l ?: @onesoccer
pic.twitter.com/zU13QO3Nqy— CanPL (@CPLsoccer) July 1, 2021
The Tridents wasted little time in the second half to equalize as Josh Heard found the back of the net in the 51st minute from inside the penalty mark courtesy of a squared pass from Marco Bustos.
51’ – @yorkutdfc 1-1 @Pacificfccpl@Jheard_11 levels the score for Pacific early in the 2nd half.#YRKvPAC l ?: @onesoccer
pic.twitter.com/qiq7rA2okZ— CanPL (@CPLsoccer) July 1, 2021
Bounces would continue to fall Heard’s way as his swinging ball into the box was inadvertently volleyed into the top corner by York defender Chrisnovic N’Sa, his keeper Nathan Ingram a helpless spectator as Pacific took a 2-1 lead in the 67th minute.
67’ – @yorkutdfc 1-2 @Pacificfccpl
An unfortunate deflection sees Pacific take the lead thanks to an own goal.#YRKvPAC l ?: @onesoccer
pic.twitter.com/DiVsK1h6KA— CanPL (@CPLsoccer) July 1, 2021
Things looked to be trending towards a second consecutive Pacific victory before Y0rk relied on their most consistent source of scoring — the set piece. Following some chaotic scenes after a York corner, substitute Jordan Wilson beat Callum Irving to bring the match to all-square for the second time —this time the stalemate would hold up.
82’ – @yorkutdfc 2-2 @Pacificfccpl
A couple of bounces in the box and York are level.#YRKvPAC l ?: @onesoccer
pic.twitter.com/aNcyp2dTGK— CanPL (@CPLsoccer) July 1, 2021
Despite enjoying much more of the ball, Pacific managed just one shot on target in this one, with much credit owed to the defensive efforts of Brennan’s backline.
Overall, a point apiece feels a fair result as both clubs came out of the gate with purpose in their second contest of the season.
BOX SCORE
Goals
32′ — Diyaeddine Abzi (York United)
51′ — Josh Heard (Pacific FC)
67′ — Chrisnovic N’Sa (Own Goal – York United)
82′ — Jordan Wilson (York United)
Discipline
2′ — Yellow: Diyaeddine Abzi (York United)
28′ — Yellow: Terique Mohammed (York United)
36′ — Yellow: Terran Campbell (Pacific FC)
43′ — Yellow: Michael Petrasso (York United)
45′ — Yellow: Manny Aparicio (Pacific FC)
74′ — Yellow: Isaiah Johnston (York United)
86′ — Yellow: Marco Bustos (Pacific FC)
88′ — Yellow: Chrisnovic N’Sa (York United)