Tag: AFC Mobile

AFC Mobile Man of the Match: Gulf Coast Texans (6/17)

As the second half of the season began, AFC Mobile claimed a point on the road against Pensacola’s Gulf Coast Texans. AFC Mobile fought from behind twice to pull even. Here are the four players who stood out most. Who’s your vote for Man of the Match?

4 – Chisom Ogbonna – FWD

Chisom Ogbonna celebrates after scoring the first equalizer against the Gulf Coast Texans.

Ogbonna found himself on the score sheet once more with a powerful header to equalize the game, but it was his overall leadership keeping the team in the game with levelheaded thinking and good hold up play that really allowed them to earn a point on the road.

1 – Elijah Gibson – GK 

Elijah Gibson prepares in net for the Texans’ attack.

Gibson stood on his head late in the game making three big saves as time wound down to help AFC Mobile withstand the pressure of GCPL Golden Boot leader Dillon Gallet and the Pensacola attack.

6 – Nate Gillespie – CB 

Finding himself playing at center back due to injuries, Gillespie kept placing himself in the right position to make huge game-saving tackles and pinpoint passes into the attacking third against a strong Texans side.

18 – Clairy Kengeye – CAM 

Clairy Kengeye defends against the Texans’ counter attack.

Kengeye, who has played most of his minutes for AFC Mobile on the wing, was moved into a central role due to a depleted roster. It worked out well. His hard tackling and determination led to the Fiemawhle free kick that resulted in Greg Hosford’s equalizer. Kenegeye also had a shot from about 40 yards out that may have turned into the winner had it been an inch to the left.

AFC Mobile will now host a three game home stand at the Archbishop Lipscomb Athletic Complex, the first of which will be against the Louisiana Fire this Saturday, June 24th. Kickoff is at 7 p.m, and we will be honoring the educators of our community with Teacher Appreciation Night. Any school employee with a valid school ID will be admitted free of charge. As always, kids 12 and under are admitted free.

AFC Mobile earns a 2-2 draw against Pensacola’s Gulf Coast Texans

PENSACOLA, FLORDIA – AFC Mobile pulled off a stunning 2-2 draw against the Gulf Coast Texans of Pensacola. Heading into the match, the Texans were atop the Gulf Coast Premier League Eastern Conference table.

“Any time you come into one of the top of the table teams and come away with a point on your away game, I mean, it’s huge, especially the way things have kind of ended,” said AFC Mobile head coach Nate Nicholas.

AFC Mobile dominated the match early on, creating more chances and holding more possession than Pensacola. In the 15th minute, Clairy Kengeye chipped the ball over a compact Texan back-line to Chisom Ogbonna, whose shot was saved by Texan goalkeeper Rudy Seelmann. Five minutes later, AFC Mobile’s Jackson Barber juked the Texans’ left back and sent a low cross in front of the goal to Martin Fiemawhle, whose shot hit the crossbar.

In the 24th minute, the tide turned as Dillon Gallet, the Gulf Coast Texans’ leading scorer and GCPL Golden Boot leader, found himself pushed nearly to the end-line on a counter attack before bending the ball into the goal from an incredibly difficult angle, giving the Texans a 1-0 lead. Gallet’s goal completely altered the momentum of the game through the remainder of the first half.

When the second half began, the Texans came out firing on all cylinders. AFC Mobile keeper Elijah Gibson made three spectacular one-on-one saves. Then, in the 53rd minute, AFC Mobile’s Markos Mallis sent a cross into the penalty area that Ogbonna converted off a header to bring the score to 1-1.

Just minutes later, Gallet struck once more, heading the ball over Gibson off a long throw in to give the Texans a 2-1 lead, putting Mobile again on their heels in the 57th minute. From there, the game became bogged down in the midfield before resuming late with back-and-forth action. Both Mobile’s Gibson and Pensacola’s Seelmann came up with several saves to smother out promising attacks from both sides.

With time winding down, AFC Mobile earned a free kick on the edge of the penalty area in the 69th minute. Fiemawhle stepped up to take the kick and put it on frame. Greg Hosford attempted a bicycle kick on the rebound, which was blocked by a Texan defender. Off the second rebound, however, Hosford connected with a gutsy scissor kick, this time scoring the tying goal in the 70th minute.

From there, the game continued at a breakneck pace. In the 85th minute, Kengeye took a shot from 40 yards out which could have given Mobile the lead, but it passed just wide of the upper 90. Then Gibson made yet another acrobatic one-on-one save in the 87th.

“We were able to kind of see the game out…come back from being down a goal twice, score goals. I couldn’t be more proud of the guys,” Nicholas said. “Obviously we want the win, we had the chances to win. We are playing an attacking brand of soccer and it should be fun for the fans to watch. So happy with all the fans at the last home game, but we have three [home games] in a row and we are going to need them.”

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AFC Mobile will host a three-game home-stand, the first of which will be against the Louisiana Fire at the Archbishop Lipscomb Athletic Complex on Saturday, June 24th. Kickoff will be at 7:00 p.m. Join us as we honor the educators of our community with our first ever Teacher Appreciation Night!  All school employees with ID will be admitted to the match against the Louisiana Fire free of charge. As always, kids aged 12-and-under get in free and all other tickets are just $5.

(Photo: Michael Shartava/AFC Mobile)

AFC Mobile’s Man of the Match: Biloxi City FC’s Fred Riley

Biloxi City FC’s Fred Riley (24) after stopping a first half challenge by AFC Mobile’s Chisom Ogbonna (4). (Photo: Carissa Harrison/Facebook)

We’re doing something a little different for this week’s Man of the Match award. Instead of letting the fans decide which one of our players had the best game on Saturday, we’re giving the award to Biloxi City’s Fred Riley.

Riley suffered a broken leg after a nasty collision with his own goalkeeper.  He underwent surgery in Mobile Monday morning and is doing well.

Riley was born in Gulfport. He comes from a military family and spent much of his childhood traveling. He joined the Marine Corps and played soccer for the All-Marine team while enlisted. After leaving the Marines, Riley moved to Biloxi. Riley said Biloxi has a fantastic soccer scene with great youth clubs and a feisty adult league.

Despite the injury, Riley praised the Mobile fans for the support they have shown him and the atmosphere they created.

“Mobile was complete pandemonium,” Riley said. “Your fans make it impossible to hear yourself think! Great soccer atmosphere. I’ll make it a point to be at the return fixture!”

Riley also wanted to give a special shout-out to Roman Carnley, the Mobile United player he walked out onto the pitch with before the match. Thanks for being a fan!

AFC Mobile will take on Biloxi City FC on July 15th, the last match day of the regular season. We can’t wait to see you there, Fred!

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AFC Mobile will travel to Pensacola to take on 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 will return home to the Lip for three consecutive weekends beginning Saturday, June 24th, against the Louisiana Fire. Tickets are only $5 and kids 12 and under are admitted free of charge. Follow us on Facebook for more information.

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’s Brian Singler: Sergeant, Sheriff, Soccer Player

Forward Brian Singler was wearing a uniform long before he suited up to play for AFC Mobile.

Not only is Singler a deputy sheriff in Baldwin County, he is also a sergeant in the Army National Guard, a veteran of the War on Terror, and a military police officer.

This military has always been a part of Singler’s life. His father was a career Navy man and provided the inspiration for Singler to join the the armed forces, though he didn’t join the National Guard until he was 33.

“I’ve always had that desire,” Singler said. “It’s always been back there, a feeling of wanting to do it.”

Singler said that the most rewarding thing about being a part of the National Guard is being able to do something to serve more than just the Mobile Bay area and Alabama.

“I love this nation,” Singler said. “I went overseas in 2015 to 2016 and now I feel when people say ‘thank you for your service’ I can say ‘no problem’ or I can have something for them to be thankful for. Just to be able to serve this country is the most fulfilling to me.”

Soccer has been a part of Singler’s life as long as the military has. Both of his parents played, and he’s been playing since he was four years old. He moved to Baldwin County 20 years ago and takes pride in representing the Mobile area on the pitch.

“To represent this city, there’s no words that can express that. The team that we have, the brothers; we have a good bond. It’s almost like Christmas morning every time you put that jersey on.”

Balancing his day job as a deputy sheriff, his military duties, and his commitments to AFC Mobile has been a challenge, but Singler said he’s found the secret.

“Well, I have understanding bosses and an understanding wife as well,” he said. “They know how much I love this sport and how much of a part of my life it is and the passion I have for the sport.”

This Saturday, June 10th, AFC Mobile will be honoring the men and women in the armed forces by holding its first ever Military Appreciation Night. Kickoff against Biloxi City FC at the Archbishop Lipscomb Athletic Complex is at 7 p.m. All veterans and active duty personnel are admitted free with their military ID. As always, kids 12 and under are also admitted free. All other tickets are just $5.

Man of the Match vs. CD Motagua of New Orleans 6/4

AFC Mobile claimed its first point of the season against the current GCPL champions CD Motagua of New Orleans this weekend. The draw was a hard fought team effort, but these four individuals stood out. Who’s your vote for Man of the Match?

4 – Chisom Ogbonna – FWD

Ogbonna scored two goals this weekend for AFC Mobile, giving him three goals on the season and making him the club’s leading goalscorer this season.

1 – Brent Grube – GK 

Grube withstood attack after attack from Motagua in the second half to help AFC Mobile come away with its first point of the season.

15 – KC Espoir – RB 

Espoir locked down the Motagua attack after head coach Nate Nicholas moved him to right-back for the first time this season.

19 – Dawson Jellenc – CB 

Jellenc provided the assist on the second goal with a booming 45 yard pass over Motagua’s defense.

AFC Mobile returns home to take on Biloxi City FC this Saturday, June 10, at the Archbishop Lipscomb Athletic Complex. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. AFC Mobile will be honoring our servicemen and women with a Military Appreciation Night. All veterans and active-duty personnel get in free with their military ID. As always, kids 12 and under are admitted free. Tickets are only $5. Get your tickets today! 

 

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.

Player signing

AFC Mobile adds local high school standouts to roster

AFC Mobile has added two local high school players to the roster ahead of the team’s first away game of the 2017 Gulf Coast Premier League season. Midfielder Clairy Kengeye joins the club after helping lead W.P. Davidson High School to the the AHSAA 7A State Championship game before falling to Oak Mountain in a penalty shootout.

Clairy Kengeye
Photo credit: Mike Kittrell/preps@al.com

“Clairy brings a lot of skill and work ethic and can bring some power to the attack,” said AFC Mobile head coach Nate Nicholas.

Bayside Academy’s Dawson Jellenc has been added to the roster to solidify the AFC Mobile defense ahead of three consecutive games on the road. Jellenc’s Bayside team made a deep run in the AHSAA 1A-3A playoffs before losing to Indian Springs 3-1 in the semifinals.

“Dawson and Clairy have played for me for years so they bring a familiarity to my style of play and expectations,” Nicholas said.

Dawson Jellenc
Photo credit hudl.com

The two additions could see action this weekend when AFC Mobile travels to Kenner, Louisiana to take on the Louisiana Fire. The Fire lost 3-2 to Jackson, Mississippi’s Gaffa FC in the first week of the season. AFC Mobile will be looking to secure its first win after a tight 2-1 loss in Week 1 to Pensacola’s Gulf Coast Texans. Saturday’s kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m. at Lions Field in Kenner.

AFC Mobile will return home to the Archbishop Lipscomb Athletic Complex (“The Lip”) on Saturday, June 10th for a 7:00 p.m. match-up against Biloxi City FC, a budding rivalry being coined the “Forgotten Coast Cup.” 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.