Category: Game Recap

Late Goal Sinks AFC Mobile In 2-1 Loss to Biloxi City FC

MOBILE, ALABAMA – Another record-breaking crowd filled the west stands of The Lip Saturday night, but AFC Mobile was sunk by a screamer of a goal late into stoppage time, falling 2-1 to Biloxi City FC in the first edition of the Forgotten Coast Cup. The official attendance was 924.

“I believe fully the guys did everything they could to try and win the game, to make the fans happy,” said AFC Mobile captain Martin Fiemawhle. “We just have to work on defending… stay positive. We have next week. We’ll bounce back.”

The first half was a fairly even affair with both sides unable to capitalize on their chances. Six minutes into the game, Amos Ndikumana sent a shot across the face of the goal that was easily collected by Biloxi City keeper Brian Hammons. A minute later, Nate Gillespie slotted a ball through to Chisom Ogbonna, whose shot dragged just to the left of goal.

A record-breaking crowd of 924 was on hand to see AFC Mobile fall 2-1 to Biloxi City FC on Saturday night. (AFC Mobile/Seth Laubinger)

Biloxi struck back in the 14th minute with a shot by Romar Smith. Smith’s effort was parried into the air then collected by AFC Mobile goalkeeper Brent Grube. AFC Mobile came close to scoring when Sherman Winchester rocketed a long range effort from outside the box that ultimately floated outside the right post.

In the 34th minute, Biloxi’s Atem Kuot was shown a red card for violent conduct after pushing Mobile’s Nathan Gillespie off the ball, and Biloxi was down to 10 men. Ogbonna had another effort saved in the 39th minute. Late into first half stoppage time, Greg Hosford laid off a beautiful ball for Winchester whose shot was saved.

The game was stalled six minutes into the second half after Biloxi City’s Fred Riley collided with his own keeper and AFC Mobile’s Jackson Barber. Unfortunately, Riley was stretchered off the field after a long stoppage. We wish him a speedy recovery.

“We come out in the second half, we almost score a goal on the play, and then stop for 35 minutes. Our prayers go out to the guy, but it really kinda kills the momentum…But his health is most important,” AFC Mobile manager Nate Nicholas said.

Biloxi took the lead in the 54th minute after Patrick Harrison sent a low rolling shot into the far right corner.

Mobile was awarded a penalty after Biloxi’s Orazio Digesu brought down Ogbonna in the box. Fiemawhle, one of AFC Mobile’s two captains, stepped up and coolly fired the PK into the back of the net.

“For me, I just stay calm the whole game. When I have a chance like that, stay calm and just put it in the back of the net,” Fiemawhle said.

AFC Mobile captain Martin Fiemawhle after slotting home a penalty to level the score. AFC Mobile would ultimately lose to Biloxi City FC 2-1. (AFC Mobile/Seth Laubinger)

In the 70th minute, Biloxi City’s manager Sinisa Vukadin was ejected from the match. Tempers flared throughout the venue, and both sides continued to push forward to break the deadlock. In the 76th minute, Biloxi’s Iba Ndaw brought down Ogbonna and was shown yellow.

Ndaw was shown a second yellow in the 89th minute, giving Mobile a two-man advantage as the game headed into stoppage time.  The home side, however, could not capitalize on the advantage. In the 94th minute, Biloxi’s Itz Trevor scored a screamer from outside of the box to give Biloxi a 2-1 lead and seal the match.

“I don’t know if that guy will hit another shot like that ever again in his life,” Nicholas said.

AFC Mobile will travel to Pensacola to take on the GCPL leaders, the Gulf Coast Texans, next Saturday, June 17th. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at Ashton Brosnaham Park. AFC Mobile fans are encouraged to make the short journey to the Pelican City to support the visiting team.

AFC Mobile Earns First Point Against Reigning Champions

NEW ORLEANS—AFC Mobile earned its first point of the season after a 2-2 draw with reigning Gulf Coast Premier League champions CD Motagua of New Orleans. The Azaleas nearly ended their three-game road trip with a win, but Motagua headed in an equalizer deep into six minutes of stoppage time.

“We’ve got to do a better job clearing the ball, just winning headers and getting it out. It literally was the last second they scored a goal,” said AFC Mobile head coach Nate Nicholas. “I think we were playing into overtime even though we were winning. But, you’ve got to play as long as the referees are telling them to play on.”

 

 

It was a bright start for Mobile and for Chisom Ogbonna in particular. The forward had a chance early in the match after some fancy footwork in the box, but couldn’t get a shot off. Minutes later, Clairy Kengeye chipped the ball into the box to find Ogbonna, but his shot dragged just wide. In the 19th minute, Ogbonna was able to to find the back of the net after picking up a loose ball in the box and smashing it home to give AFC Mobile a 1-0 lead.

Motagua equalized just minutes before halftime. A Motagua player sent a floating header into the back of the net after a wild scramble in front of the goal to level the match 1-1.

The equalizer appeared to give Motagua a renewed sense of energy in the second half. AFC Mobile goalkeeper Brent Grube opened the second half with two big saves to keep the score tied 1-1. Motagua continued attacking, having the better of the run of play through most of the final half. The home team had another chance to take the lead, but AFC Mobile defender Markos Mallis cleared the ball off the line.

Despite a sustained attack from Motagua, Ogbonna artfully settled a 45 yard bomb sent by defender Dawson Jellenc and buried his second goal of the night, giving Mobile a 2-1 lead in the 57th minute. Ogbonna’s brace marked his third goal in two games, making him AFC Mobile’s leading scorer on the 2017 Summer campaign.

“Chisom Ogbonna scored two great goals… had another great game. He’s built two games in a row playing really really well,” Nicholas said.

Late in the match, Ogbonna attempted to get behind the Motagua defense but was taken down by Motagua’s Anthony Peters. The traveling fans urged the official to show Peters red, but he was only received a yellow card. The center referee also showed Ogbonna his second yellow card of the season, citing embellishment.

As time elapsed, Motagua continued to push for a second equalizer. The referee allowed over six minutes of added time to the dismay of the traveling fans from Mobile. In a last-ditch effort to equalize, Motagua sent its entire squad, including its goalkeeper, into the box for a throw-in near the corner.  Motagua was able to convert on what would become the very last touch of the game, bringing the final score to 2-2.

AFC Mobile will look to build on its first ever point in the GCPL Eastern Conference table on Saturday, June 10th with a return home to the Archbishop Lipscomb Athletic Complex where AFC Mobile will take on Biloxi City FC.

“We’re excited about coming home playing at the Lip. It feels like it’s been a year since we played our first home game.” Nicholas said. “We need everybody to come out ’cause, I tell you what, it’s gonna be a show. We’re gonna get a win that night and it’s gonna be because the fans have got our back.”

Kickoff against Biloxi City FC is set for 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 10th at the Archbishop Lipscomb Athletic Complex off Michael Boulevard. It is also Military Appreciation Night. All veterans and active duty military personnel will be admitted free of charge with their military ID. As always, kids 12 and under get in free, and all other tickets are only $5. Click here to purchase your tickets today!

 

 

 

AFC Mobile falls to league leaders Gaffa FC

AFC Mobile fell to Gulf Coast Premier League leaders Gaffa FC 3-1 on Saturday, allowing two second-half goals in a physical affair.

AFC Mobile conceded first through an own goal by Dawson Jellenc in the eighth minute–the first shot on Mobile’s net, and the only shot that goalkeeper Elijah Gibson faced until the 34th minute.

“In the first half, we played pretty decent,” AFC Mobile manager Nate Nicholas said. “We gave up a first goal, made a few mistakes, Dawson tried to slide and it deflected in. After that, we picked our heads up and played really well. I thought in the first half, we were the better team. We had a few opportunities. We could have been up 3-1.”

Chisom Ogbonna equalized for the Azaleas in the 24th minute after Mobile’s high pressure forced a turnover at the Gaffa end. The Nigeria native and former FC Wichita star took one touch and blasted it past the opposing keeper. Mobile dominated the rest of the half, with six shots on goal to Gaffa’s lone effort.

“I saw him finally punishing a team for making a bad mistake,” Nicholas said of Ogbonna’s finish. “They had a bad clearance, he got it and slotted it home. It’s something that he could have four or five goals this year doing that same exact thing. He’s a player that we need to keep going, now that he’s gotten off the mark. Now that he’s got that goal, I expect he’ll have a few more.”

The team from the Port City started the second half on the front foot, winning a corner that resulted in a shot that was cleared off the line with just inches to spare. As the game grew more physical, the home side began to rebuff their visitors. Ogbonna suffered a kick in the face and was forced to leave the pitch. During the subsequent run of play, AFC Mobile conceded when a Gaffa cross from the byline was ushered home in the 53rd minute. With two-footed tackles flying, Gaffa put the match out of reach in the 73rd minute by splitting AFC Mobile’s offside trap and finishing past Gibson.

“Our team is young, so we’re getting a little out-experienced in the second half,” Nicholas said. Where our youthful energy could overcome their experience, we’re still letting it affect us. The officiating was questionable in some instances, but even with that, we weren’t good enough in the second half. We didn’t connect passes, we didn’t stay wide, we didn’t fight for the ball. When you don’t do that, you allow the referee to nullify the things you can do well.”

AFC Mobile falls to 0-0-3 on the season, and will travel to take on the defending league champions, CD Motagua of New Orleans on Sunday, June 4 at 7 p.m.

AFC Mobile Loses 2-1 to Louisiana Fire

AFC Mobile gave up a one goal lead late in the game after the Louisiana Fire’s Dante Oliver scored two goals in the final minutes to seal a comeback victory.

“We just didn’t have enough moxie to see it through. Gave up two questionable goals, might have been offsides, but regardless we’ve got to to do a little bit better job defending those,” AFC Mobile coach Nate Nicholas said. “I think from the top by me as a coach to the players we’ve gotta find a better way to finish it out and come out with a victory. But the boys fought hard, it was a well fought game for us, we just didn’t capitalize on the chances we were given.”

Mobile started the match strong. In the opening minutes of the match, Matt Merrill sent a free kick over the crossbar. Minutes later, Chisom Ogbonna cut in from the left hand side of the pitch to test the Fire keeper, Pepe Serrano.

Nine minutes into a frantic first half, AFC Mobile goalkeeper Brent Grube saved a penalty from the Fire’s Igor Siscov to keep the score level.

Minutes after, Ogbonna was taken down in the box, but neither a yellow card nor a penalty was awarded.

Ogbonna left the field, but returned shortly thereafter. In the 26th minute, Ogbanna gave Mobile its best chance of the match when he bicycle-kicked a shot from the middle of the box that sailed just wide of the far post.

The game was deadlocked at zero to start the second half. Mobile was tested early when a shot from the Fire bounced out of Grube’s hands. The ball fell to a Fire player whose shot at the open goal was cleared off the line by newcomer Dawson Jellenc.

“Dawson played centerback the whole 90 minutes, and we needed him out there—especially with Memo [Lumbreras] taking a knock there at the end of the game.” Nicholas said. “Overall he did pretty well, but you could also see he’s a young kid who’s still learning some stuff. But for a debut with a semi-pro team, being with the guys for only two practices, I thought he played really, really well.”

In the 67th minute,  Ogbonna played a ball across the face of the goal to Amos Ndikumana, whose shot went just over the crossbar.

Minutes later, Sherman Winchester headed the ball to Moses Muhubao, who slotted it home to break the deadlock and give AFC Mobile the lead. The go-ahead goal was Muhubao’s second of the season.

In the 77th minute, AFC Mobile nearly doubled its lead when Batevya Mediateur found Ogbonna on the right hand side, but he couldn’t convert.

The Fire’s Dante Oliver managed to get past the Mobile back line in the 89th minute to equalize. Minutes later in stoppage time, Oliver scored the game winner for the Fire, in spite of impassioned cries from the crowd that he was offside.

The loss gives AFC Mobile an 0-0-2 record on the season. The Fire move to 1-0-1 after falling to Jackson, Mississippi’s Gaffa FC last week. Next Saturday, AFC Mobile will head to Jackson to take on Gaffa FC, who beat the reigning GCPL champions, CD Motagua of New Orleans, 4-2 on Saturday night.

AFC Mobile will play its next home game on June 10th at the Archbishop Lipscomb Athletic Complex against Biloxi City FC. Tickets are only $5.00, and kids 12 and under will be admitted free of charge. RSVP today and invite your friends!  Be sure to follow AFC Mobile on all your favorite social media platforms: Facebook: AFC Mobile; Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat: @AFCMobile.

Man of the Match

AFC Mobile Man of the Match vs. Gulf Coast Texans

The Mobile soccer community came out in full force to watch the inaugural match of AFC Mobile. The hometown team went down early, but an equalizer from Moses Muhubao, strong midfield play from Mat Dazet and Matt Merrill, and a rock solid defensive performance from Guillermo Lumbreras, Jr. gave AFC Mobile a fantastic home debut.

Who would you pick as the first ever AFC Mobile Man of the Match?

8 – Mathieu Dazet, CM 

Dazet played the vast majority of the game creating a few chances in the attacking third while constantly breaking up play in the middle.

Mat Dazet of AFC Mobile breaks up play in the second half of the May 14, 2017, game against the Gulf Coast Texans. (photo: Michael Shartava)

9 – Moses Muhubao, FW

No one will ever forget the 32nd minute when Muhubao scored the club’s first ever goal.

Moses Muhubao scores AFC Mobile’s first ever goal in a 2-1 loss to the Gulf Coast Texans. (photo: Seth Laubinger)

12 – Guillermo Lumbreras Jr., CB

Lumbreras held his own against the Texans’ attack  he stopped several dangerous balls that threatened in the defensive third.

Guillermo Lumbreras, Jr. fights with Pensacola player (Mallory R. Tew @Photography by Mal found on Facebook)

21 – Matt Merrill, CM

Merrill was a calm force in the middle of the pitch and played all 90 minutes – not bad for an 18-year-old.

Matt Merrill calmly patrolling the pitch. (photo: Michael Shartava)

Vote for the player of your choice below!  Think another player should be considered? Tweet us @AFCMobile!

AFC Mobile home crowd

AFC Mobile breaks GCPL attendance record, falls to Texans 2-1

A record breaking crowd of 807 was on hand in Mobile, Alabama at the Archbishop Lipscomb Athletic Complex to see AFC Mobile fall in its inaugural match by a score of 2-1 to the Gulf Coast Texans of Pensacola, Florida. 

The Texans opened the scoring early when Dillon Gallet raced down the left-hand side of the pitch and sent a shot soaring inside the far post from a tight angle. The Texans continued to control possession until the 32nd minute, when  Moses Muhubao netted AFC Mobile’s first ever goal after receiving a beautiful ball over the Texans’ back line, smashing it past Texans goalkeeper Rudy Seelmann.#9 Moses Muhubao

“It was great to see the large crowd. The boys fed off their energy and it was an unbelievable home atmosphere,” said head coach Nate Nicholas. “When we scored, the crowd was electric.”

The Texans nearly regained the lead when Felipe Lawall’s shot ricocheted off the upright. Minutes later, the Texans went back up after Gallet scored his second goal of the night. Soon after, Mobile failed to convert a free kick after the Texans’ Stephen Munoz was shown a yellow card. KC Espoir nearly leveled the score for Mobile in stoppage time of the first half, but his shot from outside the box was easily saved.

Mobile started the second half with a renewed sense of energy. Chisom Ogbonna took a shot from a tight angle on the left-hand side but it was saved. The second half was full of back-and-forth play in the midfield, with both teams struggling to find their pace.

In the 81st minute, Mobile’s Chris Rumsey came into the game and made his presence known immediately as he sent a shot just over the crossbar on his first touch of the game.  In stoppage time, the Texans’ Chris Searcy was show two yellow cards for time wasting and dissent.  Mobile had a chance to equalize late in the game when Espoir played the ball to Batevya Mediateur, but in the attacking third, but the ball was cleared.

The 807 fans in attendance represented the largest crowd ever for a Gulf Coast Premier League game.

“It’s surreal to have that many people for a soccer game in Mobile.” said AFC Mobile president Abram Chamberlain. “It’s an experience for our team to build on; it’s an experience for us to build on, but this is only the beginning for AFC Mobile.

AFC Mobile will head to Kenner, Louisiana for its first away game on Saturday, May 20th to take on the Louisiana Fire, who lost to Gaffa FC 3-2 on Saturday. Kickoff for next week’s game is set for 5:00 p.m.

 

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Legion, Vinco take SASA Division One and Two Title

Mobile, Alabama — Roughly 80 fans filled the stands at Sage Park Sunday night to watch the South Alabama Soccer Association crown a new champion and see a team get promoted from Division Two to Division One.

In Division One, Legion FC knocked off J Adams in a tightly contested affair. Eddie Duarte scored the lone goal of the game just after the 30th minute mark to give Legion a 1-0 lead. J Adams nearly equalized at the end of the first half, but the shot went sailing just over the crossbar.

J Adams was on the front foot for most of the second half, pressing to snatch an equalizer. Legion bunkered in and were able to ward off attack after attack from the trailing team. Around the 60th minute Legion was called for a handball in the box, but J Adams couldn’t convert the penalty.

After 90 minutes, Legion keeper Alejandro Ojeda came away with a clean sheet and Legion FC were crowned SASA Champions.

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In the Division Two title game, Vinco FC came back from a halftime deficit to beat Mobile Rovers 4-2. Mobile Rovers scored the first goal to open the game up. VFC’s Garrett Ost equalized to bring the game 1-1, but the Rovers scored once more directly before the first half ended to take a 2-1 lead heading into the second.

From that point on, it was all VFC. Russell Long scored a brace, and the Rovers scored an own goal as Vinco took home the the Division 2 Championship, which earns them a promotion to SASA’s Division One for the next season.

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