Futsal - Ashby-Peckham happy to be home
AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Steve Ashby-Peckham makes a return to Auckland City FC after seven years away but this time its to push the club's first foray into Futsal.
Ashby was a member of the Auckland City FC National Youth League side that won back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013 but he returns to Kiwitea Street with a much different objective this season.
The 25-year-old Flanker has played 29 times for the New Zealand Futsal Whites scoring nine goals.
The multi-talented athlete plays football for Franklin United after a varied career that included stops at Manurewa, Bay Olympic, Three Kings United and Western Springs.
But its the indoor version of the round ball game where Ashby-Peckham excels and he's proud to be back wearing Navy Blue.
"It feels great to be in the Auckland City FC kit and its an honour to wear it and represent the club in Futsal for the first time.
"We've got a very strong squad this year. Everyone has been in and around the futsal community for a few years.
Looking forward to seeing @AucklandCity_FC for the Men's Futsal SuperLeague Northern Series this weekend in Hamilton.
— New Zealand Football (@NZ_Football) November 3, 2020
For anyone that can't make it, every match will be streamed on https://t.co/9rFYWFYmSW https://t.co/SrSNLNZyhz
"We've been working really hard and I'm very optimistic about this weekend," Ashby-Peckham told www.aucklandcityfc.com.
Auckland City FC face NFF Comets in their first game of the Futsal Men's SuperLeague at 1.00pm tomorrow before taking on Bay of Plenty Surge at 7.00pm at The Peak in Hamilton.
Ashby-Peckham watched results roll in from the Southern Series last week and believes the SuperLeague will be a compelling contest in 2020.
"The Southern Series had a lot of goals which was quite interesting and there were a few interesting results as well.
"The stronger teams perhaps didn't perform as we thought they might have so I think its going to be a very interesting Series," he said.
AUDIO - Stephen Ashby-Peckham
Coach Nic Downes and assistant coach Jess Verdon have a tough job assigning court time to a squad rippling with international talent.
Ashby-Peckham has no doubt the jostle for jersies can only propel the team forward over the next fortnight when the Futsal Navy Blues play in the Northern Series and then take on the best in the country during the National Series on November 20-22 at Bruce Pulman Arena.
"Competition is always healthy and we're constantly pushing each other at training every week and it can only bring positives.
A shout out to Chesters Plumbing & Bathroom who have come onboard as shirt sponsors for our Navy Blues Futsal team.
— Auckland City FC (@AucklandCity_FC) November 6, 2020
#FutsalNavyBlues
@PhototekNZ pic.twitter.com/Pa4FPXX6Gl
"You can't just turn up and expect to play when there are guys pushing you to be better than you are so its good," he said.
The truncated Northern Series concludes for Nic Downes side when they meet Waikato Rapids at 1.00pm on Sunday.
The National Serues is scheduled for November 20-22 at the Bruce Pulman Arena in Papakura, Auckland.
Ends
Futsal Navy Blues Squad - Player Profiles click here
AC: 1. Mike ANTAMANOV (GK), 2. Yousif Ali AL-KALISY, 3. Myron MANICKUM, 4. Matt LIESHOUT, 5. Jimmy BANKS, 6. Thomas PICKEN, 7. Marvin EAKINS, 8. Josh MARGETTS, 9. Steve ASHBY, 10. Dylan MANICKUM, 11. Hamish GREY, 12. Elias BILLEH (GK), 13. Jake BESENYI, 14. Aalok PAUDEL, 15. Sean McINTEE, 16. Adam PAULSEN, 17. Connor McCONCHIE, 18. Todd BROADHURST, 19. Vaughan SOMERVILLE (GK).
HEAD COACH: Nic DOWNES.
ASSISTANT COACH: Jess VERDON.
TEAM MANAGER: Shivy ANTHONY.
PHYSIO: Aaron COLLIN.
Live Streaming
You can follow every kick of the ball at the Northern Series on November 7-8, 2020, by visiting the NZF Futsal Facebook page available here.
Futsal Navy Blues Fixture List
Find out where, when and how you can watch the Futsal Navy Blues in live action when you click here.
Men's Futsal Super League All Fixtures
If you want to find out more about Futsal Men's SuperLeague competition then click here.
Related Articles
PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY
TBC 2025
Player Profiles
Table
| Position | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | BU | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 23 | 16 | 20 |
| 2 |  | AC | 9 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 20 | 10 | 19 |
| 3 |  | WS | 9 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 25 | 16 | 18 |
| 4 |  | NC | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 21 | 14 | 17 |
| 5 |  | WP | 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 16 | 19 | 13 |
| 6 |  | WO | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 17 | 15 | 11 |
| 7 |  | CS | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 18 | 20 | 11 |
| 8 |  | CT | 9 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 16 | 18 | 9 |
| 9 |  | ES | 9 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 17 | 5 |
| 10 |  | WE | 9 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 9 | 28 | 4 |
Friends of Football
