OTTAWA – Ryan Williams scored an 89th-minute winner for Ottawa Fury FC to earn a 1-0 victory against FC Edmonton in the first leg of their Preliminary Round contest in the Canadian Championship on Wednesday night at TD Place. The two teams will meet in the second leg next Wednesday night at Edmonton’s Clarke Stadium.

The game appeared to be heading for a scoreless draw, but Fury FC’s patience paid off as it worked the ball down the left to Andrae Campbell. His cross into the near post for Tucker Hume caromed off Edmonton goalkeeper Tyson Farago, and Williams was on hand by the penalty spot to tuck his finish into the open net.

The host had the better of the game early on, and almost created the first good chance just five minutes in as Sito Seoane’s cross from the left found Steevan Dos Santos, but the Cape Verde forward was ruled offside. Four minutes later, Andrae Campbell’s effort from the left was saved by Farago, but then the game began to even as the visitors began to find some passing rhythm.

Edmonton’s first chance arrived just before the half-hour mark, but Dustin Corea couldn’t make clean contact with a header from Ben Fisk’s cross. Moment later Ottawa almost found a connection from a corner, but Lance Rozeboom was unable to reach Ryan Williams’ delivery.

Ottawa goalkeeper Callum Irving made a big save just before halftime from Dean Shiels, which sent the game to the break scoreless, but Fury FC got back on the front foot to start the second half as a diving header by Ramon Martin del Campo went wide 11 minutes after the break. Ottawa’s Irving was called into action again moments later, however, as he pulled off an outstanding double-save to deny first Tomi Ameobi and then Allan Zebie to keep the game scoreless.

Fury FC pushed for a winner in the final 15 minutes, and a good bounce created a chance when the ball fell to Seoane 16 yards out, but the forward pulled his shot wide of the right post. Rozeboom also first wide of the left post from 25 yards for Fury FC four minutes later, but with almost the last chance of the game Williams came through for his second goal in as many games to give Fury FC the edge in the series.