County Drops Points in Nine-Goal Circus Match

Written by Robert Kerr, Staff Writer

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Oakland County FC was defeated at home for the first time this season by a final score of 5-4 to the hands of Waza Flo. County jumped out to a three goal lead, in the match’s opening 30 minutes, only to see the tide of the would-be-rout turn in favor of the visitors. OCFC went on to surrender five of the next six goals, in a truly astonishing game. The Purple Gang will have to bounce back quickly from the nine goal night, as they now head off to play division leading BIH Grand Rapids in a Saturday night clash.

FINAL | Not our night. A fury in the beginning is not enough for County on this cold Thursday night. #BleedPurple pic.twitter.com/2LHSFJcGUX

— Oakland County FC (@OaklandCountyFC) June 14, 2019

Dream Start Ends with Nightmare Result

The opening moments went well for Michigan’s supporter-owned team, as they jumped out to the big early lead. County frontman, Mike Melaragni, persuaded Bobby Harris’ left footed low cross to get in the net after just 90 seconds of play. Eight minutes later, it was 2-0 when winger Mario Morana evaded Waza’s starting goalkeeper, Corbin Checchini, in the six yard box, with a composed change of direction, and finish. It was 3-0, in the 25th minute, when Melaragni was able pick his head up in the Waza box, and serve up midfielder Ryan Resendes for a simple finish.

The home team, with the three goal lead, could not finish off the late arriving visitors, though, as the lead was erased by halftime. County goalkeeper Tim Dolan’s ill advised distribution to Julian Birge set up Waza’s first goal. Waza standout Alex Steinwasher evaded the County defense and chipped the ball over Dolan for the second. Ricardo Lopes leveled the match at three goals-a-side, from the penalty spot, just moments before the halftime break.

Second Half Woes

Six minutes into the second half, it looked like order in the game had been restored, when Mike Melaragni scored the most attractive of the evening’s nine goals. County’s towering forward sprinted free from the Waza defense, and curled a right footed shot around the substitute keeper, and in off the far goalpost. Melaragni’s performance was stellar on Thursday night, as he contributed two goals and an assist in the rain.

GOAL! @mikemelaragni gets behind the defense, hits it off the right post and in.

[4-3] #BleedPurple #OCFCvsWaza pic.twitter.com/UHtBy0Y7vs

— Oakland County FC (@OaklandCountyFC) June 14, 2019

Melaragni’’s efforts were to be thwarted, sadly, as Alex Steinwasher netted Waza’s fourth goal just a minute later. Saeed Tawil brought the visitor’s all the way back, in the 83rd minute, when he was the first to react to a Waza shot that came back off Dolan’s goalpost. On a colld and wet Thursday night in Clawson, OCFC could not get it done.

The Unusual Star

In a night of many, many, moments of incident, the performance of the night came from the most unusual of sources, an emergency goalkeeper. Waza Flo defender, Luis Mencia, was called upon to play goalkeeper at halftime, to replace starter Corbin Cecchini, who had to leave the game due to a hand injury. Mencia, usually an outfield player, made five saves in the second half, including denying rocketed shots off the feet of both Demetri Pliakos and Shawn Sloan. Mencia also displayed great bravery, as he put his body on the line in multiple 50/50 situations.

Moving On Quickly

Oakland County FC now hit the road for two games in four days. County visit BIH Grand Rapids Saturday night, and then face Carpathia FC for a Tuesday night tussle in Auburn Hills. County’s next home game is set for Friday June 28, at Clawson City Park Stadium. The Oakland County FC experience, presented by Diversified Members Credit Union, continues beyond the final whistle. Zeoli’s Italian, in downtown Clawson, at 110 E 14 Mile Road, is the official OCFC match day bar. Zeoli’s is serving $1 beers, during every match day, in 2019! Socialize, dine, and cheer with your fellow fans, before and after the game. Tickets can be purchased, HERE.