Apotheos FC Defeats Georgia Revolution FC 4-3 in Southeast Conference Final

By Apotheos FC 

Apotheos FC overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat Georgia Revolution FC 4-3 in the Southeast Conference Final.

The Revolution found the first goal of the match through a Callum Schorah goal in the 28th minute.  The visitors worked a beautiful counterattack from right to left and found Schorah one-on-one with the goal keeper, and he finished to the far corner for the early 1-0 lead.

The Revolution doubled their lead in the 50th minute after Schorah earned a penalty.  His attempt from the spot was brilliantly saved by Henry Pleitez with the rebound being saved as well.  However, Aaron Whitten hustled in with a flying header to finally beat the Apotheos goalkeeper.

The game turned in the 57th minute when Georgia Revolution attacker Piers Ringdahl was given a red card.  Apotheos found their breakthrough in the 81st minute after Junior Sandoval brought down a cross in the box and finished past Revs goalkeeper Nathaniel Martinez. 

The hosts equalized three minutes later when Lamin Jawneh struck a bouncing ball off the half volley that evaded Martinez again.  The game went to additional extra time when neither club was able to break the 2-2 deadlock.

Apothoes saw their man advantage disappear in the 97th minute when Mohamed Lamin Gerewou was given a red card.  Moments later, Apotheos found what appeared to be the game-winner when substitute Anthony Sumo Jr fired a shot off the inside of the post and in, giving the hosts a 3-2 lead in the 99th minute. 

Not to be outdone, the Revolution equalized again with a 116th minute goal from substitute Lewis Green.  Pleitez bobbled a corner kick, which fell to Green who made no mistake and brought the game back to level terms.

It appeared that penalties were going to decide the Southeast Conference Final, however, Junior Sandoval found the game-winning goal in the 121st minute.  With time winding down, Geovanni Rios worked his way down the right-hand side and passed to Sandoval.  Then Sandoval shielded the ball from the defender and turned to finish.

The Revolution had a half-chance in the dying seconds as Thomas Wilson found a bouncing ball in the box.  However, the shot was deflected, and the corner was cleared by Apotheos to secure their first conference title. 

Apotheos will now move on to play Naples United FC in the South Region Semifinals on July 21st. 

Photo Credit: Jeff Holland