Apotheos FC claimed a 2-1 win over Greenville United on Saturday, June 15 at John Paul II Catholic High School.
Greenville United set the tone early by controlling possession for the first couple minutes of the match, but any attacks were stifled by the Apotheos defense.
Apotheos had their first dangerous set piece after a foul by Thomas Monayer, however, the pass was ruled offsides. It would not have mattered regardless, as Greenville United goalkeeper Tripp Kidd made a save on the shot.
Apotheos FC would make another dangerous attack in the 13th minute. Defender Jamie Moore would slide tackle in the box which resulted in a yellow card and a penalty. The penalty was taken and converted right down the middle by Apotheos FC’s Liam Vivian to take the early 1-0 lead. Kodai Tanaka of Apotheos would continue to mount the pressure, making a shot that was saved by Kidd in the 17th minute.
Greenville United would have a sustained attack of their own starting in the 21st minute with a corner by Thomas Monayer that was on target and punched out by Apotheos FC goalkeeper Newsha Mirfendereski. Alek Bravo would later shoot out from around 40 yards out, but it was easily picked up by the Apotheos keeper. Manny Akpeme would end the attack after a shot from the corner of the box was sent right to Mirfendereski.
Apotheos would quickly answer back with a quick attack of their own. A pass from their defender to a speedy Aaron Whitten led to their second goal. A low shot was deflected off the lower right corner of the post and in to extend the lead to 2-1 in the 24th minute.
Apotheos FC’s Kodai Tanaka would take control of the remainder of the half, starting off with an attacking run in the 37th minute that was diffused by the Greenville United defense. He would have another shot in the 43rd minute that was kicked out by Greenville United. In the 47th minute, a breakaway pass was cleared out by Greenville United newcomer Jaider Oviedo.
For the remainder of the game, the possession would be largely dominated by Greenville United, but Apotheos would either save or extinguish any dangerous attacks made by the home side. Luck would change in the 88th minute as a set piece by Thomas Monayer would be sent to Abubacarr Fofana. Then Fofana smashed it in from outside the box to sneak past the defenders with a low shot that went in to cut the visitors’ lead in half. Shots were then taken by both teams with no real threat in the closing minutes as Apotheos would win it 2-1.
Greenville United will be back in action on June 29th, traveling to Wilmington to face Port City FC. Apotheos will be headed back home to face off against Appalachian FC in a battle that has major playoff seeding implications.
