Kings II Rally Past Valdosta FC in Four-Goal Road Victory

VALDOSTA, GA – Coastal Kings II made the 3.5-hour trip southwest to Valdosta on Saturday, March 14, and returned to Savannah with three points after an impressive comeback performance against Valdosta FC.

Under a blazing 88-degree afternoon sun, the hosts welcomed a lively local crowd and came out strong in the opening minutes. Valdosta struck first in the 15th minute, slipping a well-placed shot through heavy traffic in front of goal to take a 1–0 lead.

Ten minutes later the home side doubled their advantage when a corner kick created chaos in the box and deflected in off a Kings defender for an own goal, putting the hosts ahead 2–0. Rather than letting the match slip away, the Kings responded with urgency.

In the 30th minute Coastal Kings II pulled a goal back with a blistering counterattack that moved the ball rapidly up the field before finding Waswa Drajoru in front of goal. Drajoru calmly finished the chance, cutting the deficit to 2–1.

Just five minutes later the momentum swung further toward the visitors when the Kings earned a penalty kick. Captain Nacho Gallego stepped to the spot and confidently buried the attempt, leveling the match at 2–2 heading into halftime.

The second half was almost entirely controlled by Coastal Kings II. Possession heavily favored the visitors, roughly 80–20, as the Kings pushed forward searching for the winner. Despite the pressure, the breakthrough took time. The Kings rattled the woodwork twice, once off the crossbar and once off the post, while continuing to dominate play in Valdosta’s half.

Finally, in the 80th minute, the persistence paid off.

A well-placed cross found Hector Hernandez, who skipped a header past the goalkeeper and into the side netting to give the Kings their first lead of the afternoon. The goal marked Hernandez’s third of the campaign.

With Valdosta pushing numbers forward late in search of an equalizer, the Kings delivered the knockout blow. After defending a late corner comfortably, Coastal Kings II launched a rapid counterattack. Two quick passes released Hernandez upfield with only the final defender and goalkeeper to beat. Showing both skill and determination, Hernandez created just enough space to spot an opening and fired the ball from 35 yards into an empty net, sealing the 4–2 victory.

The win marks the second victory of the 2026 Spring season for Coastal Kings II and moves the side into second place in the table heading into a bye week. Kings II return to action on March 28, traveling to Jacksonville, Florida to face Bold City SC II, a side that also enters the match with two wins on the season.

If Saturday’s second-half dominance is any indication, Coastal Kings II will head into that matchup with growing confidence and momentum.