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FC London Claims First Place In Regular Season After 6-2 Win Over Skillz

By Mahdi Ghaffaribarzi, 09/24/18, 4:30PM EDT

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FC London took over the top of the regular season table in the division's final match of the season, fighting back from two goals down to beat Toronto Skillz 6-2 and nailing down home field advantage heading into the playoffs.

To finish the regular season in the first place, FC London needed all three points against the Skillz, who would remain in the 12th place regardless of the match result.

FC London caused the first scare in just the second minute, James Pucci striking a free-kick that rattled the frame of the goal after rebounding ferociously off the post.

Minutes later, the host scored two similar goals in the space of four minutes and both by Wadohi Fadul (9', 13'). First he found the net on a follow-up after a Vithunan Sivakumar shot was parried away by Anthony Sokalski, before repeating minutes later. On the second, the London keeper blocked Michael Jashan's strike but Fadul was again ready to send the ball into the top of the net from close range.

The two early goals only served to wake up the visiting giants from London. 

Immediately, Pucci (16') shortened the difference with a low shot from the edge of the box. Pucci (37') again put his name on the score-sheet after controlling a cross from the right flank and beating the keeper from inside the box. The teams left at the interval for the dressing rooms with everything poised on a 2-2 draw.

The visitors started the second half aggressively to take the lead and were quickly rewarded.

Just ten minutes after the restart, a long ball eluded Toronto Skillz keeper Peter Katsaras, bouncing over his reach. Connor Wilson (55') was reading the bounce, and there to score the go-ahead strike into an open goal.

Ten minutes later, FC London doubled the lead through a powerful Ethan Gopaul (65') shot from inside the box.

The visitors had more in store too, making sure of their table-topping status with two more finishes.

Parker Seymour's (71') low shot from a tight angle went into the net after hitting the far post, and finally, Mohammed Nafar (84') scored the last goal of the regular season from the penalty spot. His shot bounced back off the post, but hit the keeper's body and crossed the line to register a 6-2 victory for the visitors.

It was Skillz' first defeat in their last five matches; on the other hand, FC London celebrated their fourth win in their most recent five contests.

As the leader of the regular season, FC London are in group A for the playoffs with the fourth place (Vaughan Azzurri), sixth place (Alliance United FC), and eighth place side Darby FC. 

FC London will begin their pursuit of the League1 Ontario 2018 Championship on September 28 (8:30 p.m.) vs Alliance United FC at the London Marconi Club, London.