BY DAN STICKRADT
COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST | WEB AND CONTENT EDITOR | DIRECTOR OF NEWS
PH: (248) 884-1051
TW/X: @msn_stickradt @LocalSportsFans @MiSoccerNetwork
FLINT, Mich. – After a season of early-game struggles, the Flint City Bucks are starting to find their rhythm.
The Bucks sure did under scorching temperatures and humidity Saturday night, scoring two goals in the opening eight minutes and cruising to a 4-1 victory over visiting rival Oakland County FC at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium.
“We gave up an early goal to Midwest United the other day which I wasn’t pleased with, but I was pleased with the way we came out attacking in the first half today,” said Bucks coach Paul Doroh. “We were able to get those two early goals to set the tone and I was pleased with the way we attacked the goal tonight, especially in the first 15-20 minutes.”
Now the sole unbeaten team in the USL-Great Lakes Division, the Bucks – who have won two straight division titles – were able to put Oakland County FC on its heels almost immediately, scoring a goal just 2:10 into the contest to set the tone.
Malik Henry – making his second straight start after coming off the bench all season – chased down a Palmer Ault long pass down the right side. Henry eventually beat a pair of marks before slipping inside and blasting a shot into the left corner of the goal.
Flint City never trailed, adding another goal in the eighth minute which proved to be the game winner. This time it was speedy Henry who broke loose on the right side and sent a pass over to an onrushing Ault who deposited his chance into the back of the net.
The Bucks (7-0-2) were not done yet – and not even close. Henry recorded the brace when he found the back of the net in the 18th minute for a 3-0 advantage on a nice individual effort, dancing around some defenders before putting another blast to inside the left post.
Finally, Oakland County FC gained some pressure and was able to cut into the deficit in the 20th minute on its first shot on frame. Keith Larson slotted a long ball over to Malvin Gblah on the right side before he uncorked a shot that deflected off the hands of Bucks keeper Jakub Grzesiak and just over the goal line before anyone else could react.
Going 21 minutes without a shot after Oakland scored its goal, Flint City shut the door on Oakland County FC’s offense and finally regained the three-goal advantage with a 40th minute tally. Pasha Dashin sent a through ball to Ault, who controlled the ball before sending a back pass to Daire O’Riordan and O’Riordan ended up lacing a shot from 16 yards out just under the crossbar to cap the scoring.
Flint City did not even allow a single shot attempt in the second half and only conceded one corner in the second half. The Bucks held a 12-0 shots advantage in the second half.
Oakland County did come close to gaining a chance when a loose ball in the box was eventually kicked away by a sliding Grzesiak as Oakland County’s Alek Markovski was racing in to try to get off a shot. Oakland did not threaten again.
“I was displeased that we gave up the goal. We had a silly mistake, and they were able to get the shot off,” said Doroh. “But we did a great job defensively after that. And we were able to get that fourth goal before the end of the half. We didn’t give them much in the second half.
“I think our center backs have been fantastic all season and our goalkeeping has been solid all year,” continued Doroh. “Offensively, we have been generating chances all season long but earlier in the season we had a hard time scoring a lot of goals. I think we’ve picked it up some lately.”
Grzesiak did not register an official save in the contest to gain the win in goal. Flint City held a 21-3 total shots edge in the contest, including 10-1 with shots on frame, and even held a 3-2 edge on cornerkicks.
Robert Gjelai had six saves on the night and five in the second half for Oakland County FC.
Flint City has now outscored the opposition 21-8 on the campaign and are now on a five-game win streak.
(Have a story suggestion for the Premier Media Group and the Michigan Soccer Network regarding club soccer, high school varsity, amateur soccer, collegiate soccer or professional soccer involving teams, players or coaches with Michigan ties, contact Communications Specialist/Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com, or call 248-884-1051. Dan Stickradt is a 31-year veteran of the Michigan Media circles and recently joined the staff full time in March of 2024. Want to schedule a broadcast game or live show, contact PMG/MSN Director of Broadcasting Jonathan Turner for availability and pricing at jonathan@michigansoccernetwork.com.)
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(Have a story suggestion for the Premier Media Group and the Michigan Soccer Network regarding club soccer, high school varsity, amateur soccer, collegiate soccer or professional soccer of teams or players with Michigan ties, contact Communications Specialist/Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com, or call 248-884-1051. Dan Stickradt is a 31-year veteran of the Michigan Media circles and recently joined the staff full time in March of 2024. Want to schedule a broadcast game or live show, contact PMG/MSN Director of Broadcasting Jonathan Turner for availability and pricing at jonathan@michigansoccernetwork.com.)
