CORRECTED version: TLfC Gulf Coast: Valdosta FC gets program’s first win
The Georgia squad’s breakthrough victory leaves AFC Mobile in the conference cellar. Also, Pensacola is in the playoffs and Tallahassee, Union 10 and Gaffa are close to claiming the final berths.
CREDIT: Valdosta FC
‘Other’ Azaleas bloom late, place originals in their shade
Christian Mata scored the second of his two goals in the 87th minute Saturday, breaking a 2-2 tie and Valdosta FC’s oh-for-its-existence losing streak.
Valdosta (1-7-0, three points) earned the program’s first win, 3-2, against Pensacola FC Academy (3-3-1, 10 points) on its home pitch at Lowndes Park in Hahira, Ga.
The win left AFC Mobile (0-6-2, two points) as the last winless team in The League for Cups’ Gulf Coast Conference. Mobile and Valdosta are just two of several communities who pride themselves on being “the Azalea City,” and both teams feature azalea blossoms in their logos.
Unfortunately, they play in different divisions within the Gulf Coast Conference and weren’t scheduled to play this season. Under the current format, a proper Azalea Derby seems unlikely. But because the East Division only has four clubs, some cross-division matches are necessary. It could happen.
Exavier Ali gave the Pelicans Academy the lead in the third minute, but Valdosta responded quickly: Jesus Daniel and Mata both scored in the sixth minute.
Tun Kagoro tied the match in the 30th minute.
U10FC catches Gaffa
Union 10 FC (6-1-0, 18 points) took six points from two matches this week, passing Gaffa FC (5-4-0, 15 points) for the West Division lead. U10 beat the AFC Mobile Azaleas 6-1 and Sowegans 3-1 at Leesburg, Ga.
Gaffa has played nine matches, two more than Union 10. It hosts Pensacola FC Academy in its last game of the regular-season on Saturday.
With two games more than Gaffa left to play, Union 10 has a distinct advantage in the division title chase. The Daphne team plays home-and-away matches against Gulf Coast United and finishes the regular season against Pensacola Academy at home.
Pelicans gonna Pelican
Pensacola FC (7-1-0, 21 points) is the only team already qualified for the playoffs and has a comfortable four-point lead in the East Division, but with two matches left, Tallahassee SC (5-1-2, 17 points) theoretically could pass the Pelicans.
That seems unlikely. Pensacola, refreshed with a week off after avenging its only loss of the season with a 2-0 win in Tallahassee, dispatched likely playoff foe Gaffa FC 3-0 at home. Tallahassee’s Battle Lions, on the other hand, are winless since losing to Pensacola with draws against Sowegans and last place AFC Mobile.
The Pelicans host Valdosta on Sunday and finish the regular season against Sowegans July 5 in Leesburg, Va. Tallahassee plays at Sowegans on Sunday and hosts Valdosta on July 2.
STANDINGS
EAST DIVISION
1. Pensacola FC, 7-1-0, 21 points, +25
2. Tallahassee SC, 5-1-2, 17 points, +17
3. Sowegans SC, 3-4-1, 10 points, -5
4. Valdosta FC, 1-7-0, 3 points, -27
WEST DIVISION
1. Union 10 FC, 6-1-0, 18 points, +14
2. Gaffa FC, 5-4-0, 15 points, +12
3. PFC Academy, 3-3-1, 10 points, +1
4. Gulf Coast United, 2-5-0, 6 points, -11
5. AFC Mobile, 0-6-2, 2 points, -27
WEEK 7 SCORES
(Times CDT)
Wednesday, June 18
• Union 10 FC 6, AFC Mobile, 1
Saturday, June 21
• Sowegans SC 1, Union 10 FC 3
• Valdosta FC 3, PFC Academy 2
• AFC Mobile 0, Tallahassee SC, 0
• Pensacola FC 3, Gaffa FC 0
WEEK 8 MATCHES
(Times CDT)
Wednesday, June 25
• Gulf Coast United vs. Union 10 FC, 7 p.m., Herbert Wilson Stadium, Gulfport, Miss.
Saturday, June 28
• Sowegans SC vs. Tallahassee SC, 6:15 p.m., Lee County Sports Complex, Leesburg, Ga.
• Gaffa FC VS. PFC Academy, 7:15 p.m., Stribling Field at St. Andrew’s Episcopal, Ridgeland, Miss.
• Gulf Coast United FC vs. AFC Mobile, 7:15 p.m., Herbert Wilson Stadium, Gulfport, Miss.
Sunday, June 29
• Valdosta FC vs. Pensacola FC, 3 p.m., North Lowndes Park, Hahira, Ga.
WEEK 9 MATCHES
(Times CDT)
Monday, June 30
• Union 10 FC vs. Gulf Coast United FC, 5 p.m., Village Park, Daphne, Ala.
Wednesday, July 2
• Union 10 FC vs. PFC Academy, 5 p.m., Village Park, Daphne, Ala.
• Tallahassee SC vs. Valdosta FC, 6 p.m., Gene Cox Stadium, Tallahassee, Fla.
Saturday, July 5
• AFC Mobile vs. PFC Academy, 7:15 p.m., Davidson High School, Mobile, Ala.
• Pensacola FC vs. Sowegans SC, 7:15 p.m., Ashton Brosnaham Stadium, Pensacola, Fla.