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Stories of the Match: Wanderers play to scoreless draw at Valour FC
May 7, 2023
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The Halifax Wanderers drew 0-0 with Valour FC in Winnipeg on Saturday afternoon.

Here are some of the storylines that transpired for the club over the 90 minutes.

Wanderers Man of the Match: Cristian Campagna

All three of Cale Loughrey, Daniel Nimick and Cristian Campagna had their moments that played a role in the Wanderers holding the home side scoreless at IG Field.

Playing his first CPL minutes of 2023, Campagna fit in seamlessly on the right side of Nimick on the Halifax backline. Along with his usual solid play at defensively, he got forward on occasion and connected on the attack with his passing.

Campagna won all of his aerial duels, and led Wanderers defenders in total duels won.

Yann Fillion comes up big again

Yann Fillion has consistently made key stops and commanded his area in his first starts as a Wanderer.

That was the story again on Saturday as Fillion posted his first clean sheet with his new club.

Fillion’s stop on Valour’s Pacifique Niyongabire was one of the highlights of his performance that allowed Halifax to leave Winnipeg with a point.

Spark from the subs

A pair of halftime substitutions were key to putting the Wanderers on the front foot in the second half

Aidan Daniels and Ryan James came on at the break and immediately made an impact.

The Wanderers had four shots on target in the second half after just one in the first. James had one of those chances when Daniels created space with a nice pass, but the shot from the top of the box was saved.

Daniels himself nearly broke the deadlock on a free kick that was tipped away by the outstretched arm of Valour goalkeeper Rayane Yesli.

A pro debut for Wilson

Armaan Wilson entered the match in the 84th minute for Wesley Timoteo, marking the 20-year-old’s professional debut.

Wilson joined the Wanderers from Providence College in the NCAA, and the six-foot-three midfielder can now look to build off his first match as a Wanderer.

What they had to say

“We’re disappointed to not get the three points but we’re building each week. It’s a hard place to come to, so getting a clean sheet is nice” – Wanderers defender Cristian Campagna

“I thought we started a bit out of rhythm but we created three very good chances. I thought we adjusted in the second half and out shot, out-chanced and out-possessed them. There were some really outstanding performances in our team.” – Wanderers head coach Patrice Gheisar

What’s next?

The Wanderers’ road trip continues with a stop in Calgary against Cavalry FC on Saturday, May 13.