GCPL Championship

ALFCS takes the title

Alabama FC South 2 Gaffa FC 1

I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the GCPL Championship game on Saturday night. The game was delayed around 30 minutes due to thunderstorms in the area. The kickoff didn't mean clear sailing, as it rained constantly throughout the game, and truly didn't stop until just before the final whistle. Thankfully, ALFCS plays their matches on the artificial turf side of Emory Folmar Stadium, so the impact of the rain was largely minimized (as far as gameplay).

There was a very solid, vocal crowd that sat through the rainy conditions. My best estimate was that there about 400 people in attendance when everyone finished filing in.

The game started out with the Storm having more possession, and Gaffa being more content to counterattack. Play was very physical throughout, but for the most part the referee seemed content to let them go without much interference from him. Both teams had some chances in the first half, but neither side could quite put one away. The ended with the score at 0-0.

The rain continued without letting up, and when the second half started, Gaffa came out and started with heavy forward pressure. That would pay off when they scored the first goal of the game in the 54th minute off of a corner kick; a hectic scramble in the box saw Gaffa squeeze the ball past the goalie. ALFCS took the kickoff and immediately ramped up pressure of their own. In the 66th minute, the Storm found an equalizer, also from a corner kick that was put in on a header. The energy continued to rise, and the game became even more physical. The two teams also began making substitutions, and it looked like everyone was preparing for a run into overtime.

Something had to give, and the referee issued some yellow cards in an attempt to settle things back down. He was less successful than he hoped, and there were some pretty rough fouls throughout the latter stages of the half. One of those fouls came from Gaffa on an elbow or shoulder to the face of an ALFCS player during a cross into the box. A penalty was awarded. During the semi-finals, the Gaffa keeper made two saves on PK's, preserving their chances to advance. This time, he guessed wrong, and ALFCS buried the PK in the back of the net.

The goalie dove to his right, and the game-winner was safely sent in at the other end.

The crowd came alive, and cheered through the tense moments that came after the go-ahead goal, and through six minutes of stoppage time. But the Storm hung on to win 2-1. The rain ended just before the final whistle.

Full time, and the celebration began.

The Championship game was a great experience, and was well-run. Fans were allowed onto the field as the game ended, to celebrate the win, and for the trophy presentation.

Congratulations to Alabama FC South, winning the Gulf Coast Premier League Championship in their inaugural season.