Atlético Ottawa had little trouble in Nova Scotia, defeating the Halifax Wanderers 3-1 through goals from Ballou Tabla, who scored twice, and Gabriel Antinoro, with Tabla also picking up the assist on the third.
The visitors took the lead immediately through Tabla, who fired a slow but accurate shot past Marco Carducci. A brief FVS check for a potential offside followed, but referee Yusri Rudolf deemed the goal valid.
Halifax rarely threatened going forward, often failing to trouble young goalkeeper Christopher Kalongo. Just over 20 minutes after the opener, Tabla used the space in front of him to drive toward goal before laying it off to a wide-open Gabriel Antinoro, who had a tight angle but made nothing of it, smashing the ball into the top right corner with a strike Carducci would not have saved on his best day.
Things went from bad to worse for the Wanderers, who conceded a penalty just eight minutes later, with Tabla stepping up to convert and give himself two goals and an assist in under 40 minutes.
Ottawa eased off in the second half, allowing Halifax to settle on the ball without ever being truly threatened. The Wanderers did get on the scoresheet through Tavio Ciccarelli, whose block deflected off Sergei Kozlovskiy's attempted clearance and found the net.
Halifax's struggles continue: It's a sixth league defeat in 12 matches, leaving them with a 3-3-6 record. They sit in the fourth and final playoff spot, but with three games more played than both Inter Toronto, who are level on points, and FC Supra, who are just a point back.
Sartini's side has plenty to address now that the World Cup break is over, and these results will weigh heavily in the long run if the sides outside the playoff spots begin picking up points. Up next for them is a visit to Langford to take on Pacific this Sunday.
Atlético Ottawa, meanwhile, have completely transformed their season. Having previously mounted a comeback from 3-1 down to beat Supra 5-3 at home, Sunday's dominant victory is another statement result, and they are beginning to look like the team capable of challenging Forge and Cavalry at the top once again. They still sit six points behind second-placed Cavalry, who they face next on Saturday, though with a game more played, and 11 points off league leaders Forge.
