RECAP + HIGHLIGHTS: Forge FC vs. Halifax Wanderers (June 8, 2025)

Forge FC extended their unbeaten run to nine games on Saturday, as they beat the Halifax Wanderers 2-1 in front of a strong crowd at Hamilton Stadium, handing the visitors their second straight defeat.

About midway through the opening half, Forge opened the scoring, partly thanks to some good work to win the ball in the attacking half. Kyle Bekker lobbed a long pass into the box where Brian Wright was able to nod it down, as Halifax defender Wesley Timoteo had a brief chance to clear it to safety, but 19-year-old Forge phenom Hoce Massunda was too quick, getting through Timoteo and scoring with a fantastic volleyed finish.

Massunda's goal was his third goal contribution of the last three matches, after scoring a winner against Pacific two weeks ago before adding an assist in last week's match against Cavalry.

The home side remained aggressors through the rest of the first half, testing Rayane Yesli and the Wanderers' backline a few more times, but Halifax evaded most of the danger and got to the halftime break down one goal.

Halftime adjustments didn't immediately help shift the tide for Halifax, though; Forge had a number of good chances almost immediately in the second half, and a set-piece opportunity just outside the box, but they weren't able to capitalize and the Wanderers began to find their footing.

A wave of renewed energy gave the Wanderers some more time in the attacking half, but it would be Forge finding the net again.

Massunda played creator this time, picking up the ball on the edge of the box and creating space for himself with a good dribble, before aiming a good cross toward the back post, where Brian Wright timed his run perfectly to get on the end and head it in.

The Wanderers would get a goal back with a little under 10 minutes to play, as Timoteo played in a cross that didn't find its target but instead hit the far goalpost, rebounding perfectly for Jason Bahamboula on the doorstep for a straightforward finish.

Despite a handful of additional chances in stoppage time, though, the Wanderers' comeback effort ultimately fell short, as the Hammers went on to bag their fourth win of the 2025 regular season.

BOX SCORE

Lineups

Forge FC: Koleilat; Rama, Nimick, Owolabi-Belewu (Kane 65'), Paton; Achinioti-Jönsson, Hojabrpour, Bekker (Jensen 81'); Babouli, Wright (Filion 81'), Massunda (Koné 85')

Halifax Wanderers: Yesli; Pearlman (Alphonse 84'), Meilleur-Giguère, Mekideche, Timoteo (Gagnon-Laparé 84'); Johnston, Callegari; Baï (Biello 77'), Probo (Rea 65'), Telfer; Coimbra (Bahamboula 65')

Goals

25' -- Hoce Massunda (Forge FC)
76' -- Brian Wright (Forge FC)
82' -- Jason Bahamboula (Halifax Wanderers)

Discipline

16' -- Yellow: Alessandro Hojabrpour (Forge FC)
41' -- Yellow: Nassim Mekideche (Halifax Wanderers)
43' -- Yellow: Ryan Telfer (Halifax Wanderers)