RECAP + HIGHLIGHTS: Halifax Wanderers vs. York United | Sept. 1, 2025

The Halifax Wanderers celebrated Labour Day on Monday with an emphatic 4-0 victory over York United at the Wanderers Grounds.

A brace from Jason Bahamboula on either side of half-time was bookended by an opening goal from Victor Dias, and a late exclamation point from Yohan Baï.

The victory saw Halifax pass York United and take over fourth place in the table. It was the first time York had lost by more than a single goal this season.

In the 11th minute, what looked to be a routine ball over the top saw Tiago Coimbra bully his man off of the ball and get in behind -- creating a two v. one situation. He carried the ball into the box, before unselfishly squaring to Dias, who calmly slotted home the chance to make it 1-0.

The goal came at a cost, however, as the Wanderers' leading goalscorer, Coimbra, was injured on the play and forced to be removed in the 19th minute. Jason Bahamboula replaced him.

The Halifax attacker quickly made an impact. On a lovely ball in behind from Isaiah Johnston, Bahamboula got there before York goalkeeper Diego Urtiaga -- who took him down. Bahamboula stepped up to the spot and wrong-footed the goalkeeper to make it 2-0.

York looked to respond, and in the 30th minute, former Wanderer Massimo Ferrin played a lovely slipped ball into the box to Kembo Kibato, who forced a good save from Rayane Yesli.

Halifax thought they'd made it three in the 40th minute on what would have been Lorenzo Callegari's first CPL goal, but the midfielder was judged to be offside. It was one of many moments during the half, however, where Halifax created chances by putting pressure on the York backline.

Despite York pushing, and seven minutes of stoppage time, Halifax were able to hold their 2-0 lead going into the half.

Mauro Eustáquio didn't waste any time looking to change the momentum of the match, bringing on leading goalscorer Julian Altobelli and Nyal Higgins.

York instantly looked more dangerous, with a pair of dangerous shots inside the opening couple of minutes.

The Wanderers continued to create chances in transition as well, and forced a good save from Diego Urtiaga in the 52nd minute, when Rea found Adam Pearlman, who hit a strike from outside of the box with venom.

In the 58th minute, Halifax all but put the match to bed. A lovely one-two between Dias and Pearlman down the right saw the latter maraud into the box before sending a perfect low cross to Bahamboula, who tapped home his second of the match, and Halifax's third.

Desperate to keep a clean sheet, Yesli made some big saves in the 77th minute to deny León and then Higgins.

Halifax weren't done there, however. In the 80th minute more good work down the left this time saw Timoteo pick out Baï in the box and the substitute added a fourth for the hosts.

York thought they had won a penalty late in the match after Altobelli was brought down in the box, but instead, he was given a yellow card for simulation. To make matters worse, Oswaldo León was sent off in stoppage time after recieving a second yellow.

The Wanderers are now undefeated in four straight matches, while York suffered just their second loss in their past eleven matches.

BOX SCORE

Lineups

Halifax Wanderers: Yesli; Alphonse (Dunn 88'), Meilleur-Giguère, Sow; Pearlman, Callegari (Gagnon-Laparé 88'), Johnston, Timotéo; Dias, Rea (Baï 67'), Coimbra (Bahamboula 19' (Ciccarelli 88'))

York United: Urtiaga; Sturing, Adekugbe (Altobelli 46'), León; Ferrari (Costa 65'), López (Accettola 65'), Kibato, Singh (Higgins 46'); Ferrin, Bitar, Hundal

Goals

*11' — Vitor Dias (Halifax Wanderers)
26' -- Jason Bahamboula (Halifax Wanderers) (Penalty)
57' -- Jason Bahamboula (Halifax Wanderers)
*80' -- Yohan Baï (Halifax Wanderers)

Discipline

*25' — Yellow: Gabriel Bitar (York United)
45+3' -- Yellow: Wesley Timoteo (Halifax Wanderers)
55' -- Yellow: Kembo Kibato (York United)
71' -- Yellow: Oswaldo León (York United)
76' -- Yellow: Kareem Sow (Halifax Wanderers)
90' -- Yellow: Julian Altobelli (York United)
90+4' -- Yellow+Red: Oswaldo León (York United)