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Match Recap: FC London 2 - 1 North Toronto Nitros

By League1 Ontario staff, 07/31/17, 3:00PM EDT

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Aaron Schneebli (36') and Sandro Rajkovic (40') led the way with goals for FC London in the first half of their home fixture with North Toronto Nitros on Matchweek 14, which would eventually be enough for the win despite a strong second half showing from the visitors. 

"When they started to press some of our defenders we began to play passes that we shouldn't have played because there was still the possibility to keep the ball and not kick long," said FC London assistant coach, Eduard Schmidt. 

"When the opponent saw this reaction they began to press us more and they began to find their game. Our second half was a bit lucky but our first half was the best half was the best we played all season and this is how our play needs to look."

"We deserved two goals, even if they were through set-pieces, because we had the right balls and movement at the right time," he added. "We needed to keep this up for two halves." 

Kinlay Shulman (69') scored for the Nitros mid-way through the second frame, putting London back on their heels and marking a sustained period of dominance by the east division side. 

"We have watched North Toronto of course and they are one of the best pressing teams in the league," said Schmidt. 

"When you go on the wing with the ball they are very compact and intense man-to-man, which is very good pressing. In the second half they showed more of this and more of their wing play as well, which is characteristic for them as well. They went in behind our fullbacks much more often and we had problems with that."

"We came from Toronto on a long trip and so it takes time to adjust or adapt to the game temperature," said North Toronto head coach, Hermann Kingue. 

"The second half we had a gameplan to press as we were having some troubles with their centre-backs. We won a lot of balls in the midfield, and to be fair it could have been a tighter game." 

"We watch London just as everyone watches everyone's game," added Kingue. 

"They play three in the back and they have a lot of play in midfield and the wide areas and our plan was to play 4-4-2 and have a lot of play in the midfield to deal with them." 

Schmidt was impressed with the character shown by his side to manage the win over one of the east division's top teams, and believes London have turned a corner in their development. 

"We have had a few tight games now and we are showing we can win those," he said. 

"At the start of the season we couldn't win those ones. It is different now and this team is very close together now and it is very enjoyable to work with them." 

FC London will next play Masters FA Saints on August 12 at L'Amoreaux. 

North Toronto Nitros will next play TFC III on August 13 at Kia Training Ground, Toronto.