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Flint erupts for 5 second-half goals to defeat Dayton 7-0

By Flint City Bucks, 06/24/21, 1:45PM EDT

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Triumphant Bucks host Grand Rapids FC on Saturday at Kettering’s Atwood Stadium

The Flint City Bucks are playing to their pedigree.  The defending USL League Two champions  (5-2-2, 17 points) thumped Dayton Dutch Lions FC, 7-0, at DOC Stadium in Dayton, Ohio last night to conclude a three-game road swing with two straight wins.  More importantly, the three points solidified Flint’s place in the top three with the USL playoff push in full throttle.

Bilal Kamal (84th minute and 87’) scored twice within a three-minute span as the floodgates opened after the home side saw a player sent off in the 59th minute. Harvey Slade (13th minute), Amadou Cisse (45+1), Fernando Garcia (54’), Daisuke Otsuka (85’) and Charlie Sharp (90’, penalty kick) also registered Bucks goals.

The unknown names in the scoresheet are having a knock-on effect, said Bucks coach Andy Wagstaff, whose team found its long-awaited breakthrough game.

“There have been a couple of guys who have come in late who have really started to get comfortable, who have really started to take the opportunity to show what they are capable of,” Wagstaff said.

“It’s led to more players who have looked on and gone, 'He's playing well and I'm going to raise my game.' Look, it's fight or flight. If players don't like the pressure, they don't survive and run away. If they like the pressure, they want to fight for it and get better.

“We have a lot of guys who are fighting for it right now.”

The Dutch Lions played the final 31 minutes with 10-men after Alec Philippe received a straight red for a reckless tackle on Bucks goalkeeper Isaac Walker, who was scythed down outside of the 18-yard box. 

The netminder walked off the field under his own power, but was substituted by Jacob Nunner.

“It was probably a shock to the system,” Wagstaff said about Walker who was en route to a fifth shutout. “It was a bad challenge. It probably could have been really, really bad for him.”

The luck that had eluded the Bucks this season also came in first-half stoppage time when center back George Proctor sent a booming free kick into the box. The ball fortuitously bounced high, escaping the grasp of goalkeeper Scott Pengelly and leaving it for Cisse to tap in.

A restart also led to Flint’s first goal 13 minutes in. Dayton midfielder Emil Antonacci received a yellow card for a meaty tackle on Garcia, setting up the free kick from about 40 yards out. 

Slade redirected the ensuing kick from midfielder Noah Jensen with a glancing off the left post and into the net. The goal was the Bournemouth, England native’s second this season.

The Bucks dominated the first half, outshooting the Dutch Lions 13-1.

Flint took a direct route on its third goal. Capitalizing on a Dayton giveaway in the defensive third, Dylan Borczak sent a through ball to Garcia, who turned and slotted it past Pengelly from about 10 yards.

Flint scored four times during a six-minute whirlwind to cap the beatdown. Kamal commenced the flurry with his first of two in the 84th minute. Noel Caliskan, who rattled a shot off the crossbar in the first half, set up Western Illinois attacking midfielder Otsuka for his first goal a minute later before Kamal struck for his second tally in the 87th.

Sharp capped the blowout with a crisply taken penalty.

“I think it (the win) puts us in a position now to be focused on where we need to end up,” Wagstaff said. “Obviously, we know we want to end up in the top three. Our goal all along was to win the league, but it looks like Kalamazoo won tonight and they may have just pulled away.

“All we can do is beat who is in front of us in the next five games, which is easier said than done. There is a lot of work to do.”

Goals

Flint — Harvey Slade, 13’ (Noah Jensen), Amadou Cisse, 45+1 (George Proctor), Fernando Garcia, 54’ (Dylan Borczak), Bilal Kamal, 84’ (Charlie Sharp), Daisuke Otsuka, 85’ (Noel Caliskan), Kamal Bilal, 87’, Charlie Sharp, 90’ (PK)

Yellow cards

Dayton — Emil Antonacci, 12’ (high kick), Vince Stans, 48’ (tackle), Michael Vogel, 69’ (tackle)

Flint — Amadou Cisse, 44’ (tackle), Charlie Sharp, 73’ (dissent)

Red cards

Dayton — Alec Philippe, 59’ (tackle)

Lineups

Dayton — Scott Pengelly, GK; Josh Erlandson, D; Yoseke Nevello, D; Jacob Benintendi, D; David Viscosi, D; Emil Antonacci, M; Nathan Dragisich, M; Michael Vogel, M; Vince Stans, F; Dominic Ruffolo, F; Marcos Vila, F

Flint — Isaac Walker, GK; George Proctor, D; Merveil Bilomba, D; Jake Erlandson, D; Adam McAleenan, M; Noah Jensen; M; Dylan Borczak, M; Noel Caliskan, M; Harvey Slade, M; Fernando Garcia, F; Amadou Cisse, F

Weather

Sunny, 79 degrees

Next Home Games

Saturday, June 26:  Bucks host Grand Rapids FC on Saturday night, June 26, 7:30 PM at Kettering’s historic Atwood Stadium.  It’s YOUTH SOCCER NIGHT with all Mid Michigan youth soccer players receiving free admission courtesy of Dort Financial Credit Union.  Players just need to wear their team soccer jersey for complimentary admission.  

Tuesday, June 29:  Bucks host South Bend Lions FC on Tuesday night, June 29, 7:30 PM at Kettering’s historic Atwood Stadium.  All tickets are BOGO / 2 for 1 courtesy of Consumers Energy!

Regular FCB match tickets are $5 (youth) and $10 for (adult) GA.  Reserved tickets at midfield are $15.  Tickets are available M-F at Flint Prints in the Ferris Wheel Building - 615 S. Saginaw St, downtown Flint, www.ticketmaster.com and at the stadium gates beginning at 6:30 PM.  Stadium capacity is back to normal but anyone wishing to socially distance themselves may easily do so.  The stadium accommodates over 10,000 spectators.  For complete ticket and schedule information please visit: www.flintcitybucks.com

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