Allando Matheson scored both goals as Toronto FC Academy won 2-1 at Brampton Lions in Canadian Soccer League action on Sunday. The Academy came back from behind to take the three points despite having Nicholas Lindsay sent off.
The home side were put under enormous pressure from the beginning of the match and Josh Janniere nearly opened the scoring for TFC in the 5th minute when his long range effort nearly beat Kodzo Awitor in goal. Allando Matheson has been finding good form over the last couple of games and showed good footwork to evade a defender in the box but his shot was saved by Awitor. Then Matt Stinson showed good vision to thread a lovely weighted through ball for Matheson but the striker decided to take a first time shot that missed the target when Awitor was caught well off his line.
The home side opened the scoring against the run of play when Andrew Da Silva turned at the top of the box and shot past the outstretched arm of Angelo Cavaluzzo for the 1-0 lead in the 27th minute. Soon after Matheson had another glorious opportunity to level the score but his shot from point blank range was hit high over the bar. Stinson then created an opening for TFC Academy when he made a good run into the box and was clipped from behind and the referee had no option but to point to the spot. Matheson stepped up and sent Kodzo Awitor the wrong way with a well placed shot into the corner.
After the interval, the game changed when Nicholas Lindsay of TFC Academy was sent off for a second yellow card. A man down, TFC had to defend for much of the second half and were resilient in defense with Daniel Fabrizi impressing at the back. Brampton Lions were also reduced to ten men when substitute Liam Martin was sent off late in the second half. TFC Academy were gifted with the winning goal in the 89th minute when an errant back pass slipped by Kodzo Awitor in goal and Matheson had an easy tap in. Matheson finished the evening with a brace, his second in an as many matches.
“Tonight we gave a very professional performance,” said TFC Academy Senior Team head coach Jason Bent. “Our play has been very good over the last couple of matches; however we have failed to finish teams off. Although we were gifted with the winner we showed excellent character to play our way back into the match. A very good performance from the entire squad and one which sets us up nicely for next week’s opponent Brantford who have started the season very well and get a good crowd at home.”
