Match Recap: County Puts Up Four; Shuts Out MKG

Written by Robert Kerr, Staff Writer

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Oakland County FC came away victorious over the Muskegon Risers, on Saturday night, by a final score of 4-0. The exhibition game was just that, and the fans at Clawson City Park Stadium were treated to an action-packed night out. After a surprisingly goalless first half, OCFC striker Fred Prest opened up what would be a second half onslaught. County original Mario Morana netted twice, in fifteen minutes, to put the game out of reach. Jonah Kibirige then put the icing on the cake, when he netted County’s fourth goal, his first ever goal for the club. Oakland County FC will play the return leg of the in-state exhibition series, against the Risers, at Muskegon’s LC. Walker Stadium, on July 27.

FINAL | Make it 4️⃣ games unbeaten! A brace from @MMorana23 and a goal apiece from Prest and Kibirige seal the deal. @dylan_brown03 with the shutout! #BleedPurple pic.twitter.com/bZb6x2By2w

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

Saturday’s game was truly a tale of two halves. The first of which was sun drenched and spotted by big saves and missed chances. Both clubs saw early headed chances go begging, before Mario Morana and Fred Prest burst spectacularly through the middle of the Risers defense, in the 19th minute. The two OCFC forwards played back and forth between themselves multiple times, to brilliant effect. The move resulting in a chipped pass from Morana, on the right, over to a flying Fred Pest, on the left. The electric Brazilian met the ball with his head whilst hurtling through the air, parallel to the turf. Muskegon goalie, Aaron Orban, dove to his right, across the width his goal, to deny Fred’s acrobatic effort.

The second half saw OCFC’s superior team fitness and teamwork shine as the day’s hot sun fell away to the west. Through balls sent up to the County strikers, were gradually getting closer to connecting. In the 51st minute, County finally made the crucial connection when center back Nick Metcalfe sent a long ball up the field to Fred Prest. The Brazilian sped around his defender and then rocketed the ball into the corner of the net. Fred’s splash of pace and flair, in both his finish and celebration, where a highlight of the night.

Your #VictorySunday forecast: ☀️ & NO ?! Enjoy it! #BleedPurple

? | @renalaverty pic.twitter.com/NU3146IUu4

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

Once the goals started, Muskegon couldn’t put a stop to them. Through balls, and a tired defense, led to three more County goals, in the game’s final 30 minutes. County stalwart Mario Morana scored the next two, his seventh and eighth of 2019. His first came on a low right footed shot, from inside the Risers penalty area. Morana then beat the defense to another through ball and rounded the goalie for his second goal, 15 minutes later. Ugandan born County man, Jonah Kibirige, then scored his first goal for the club to in the games closing moments. The ball came to Jonah in the box, who connected sweetly to a bouncing ball, to make it a 4-0 win for the home team.

Both teams’ appearance added to the overall pleasing nature of the match, too. The all-purple and all-green team uniforms of the clubs, were a visual delight. The vibrant purple of OCFC’s shirts, shorts, and socks is always easy on the eyes, add to that, the Risers ‘new look’ of head to toe forest green. The full splashes of color on the field made Saturday’s match an even more beautiful game.

Forward Fred Prest

The team was very focused, and the atmosphere was great and the fans really were awesome. We were a little unlucky in the first half, the ball wasn’t going in. But, in the second half, we came out stronger and made it count. Last week, I hit the post twice, and came so close, I was frustrated the whole week. So when the ball went into the back of the net tonight…it was happiness.