Team work key in victory over Rovers

Words: ACFC Media

Tuesday 6 April 2021

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Youngster Addison Stewart says team-work was key to top performance in U-23 win over Northern Rovers on Monday.

Stewart was in sensational form and bagged a hat-trick as City downed Northern Rovers 8-1 at McFetridge Park on Monday despite seeing his second half penalty saved by Regan Diver.

"The first goal was set up by Kris who did well and I've finished well over the keeper to keep our momentum going.

U-23 FOCUS - Addison Stewart says team work key to victory

Hat-trick hero Addison Stewart says team work was key as Auckland City FC U-23 racked up the goals in the latest round of NRFL U-23 Premier action.

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— Auckland City FC (@AucklandCity_FC) April 6, 2021

"For the second, our left back played in Kristoff again and he's found me in space and I've managed to hit a volley into the top corner which wasn't a bad finish.

"The last one was a brilliant bit of work from Sam Clegg who ran through and set up an easy goal for me. It was a good team performance from everyone.

"I was frustrated when I missed the penalty but you have to understand it can happen to any player," he said.

Stewart, who along with Ilham Hameedi, have been training regularly with Jose Figueira's first team, said the exposure to that level was useful in his development.

"Training with the first team is a whole different level and coming back to the U-23s means I can find a little bit more time and space and I can do what I want with the ball.

"I think we picked our game up today and we went with a high press - we won the ball a lot and kept it a lot which was key," he said.

Ends

Match Result
Lotto NRFL Premier U-23
Monday 5 April, 2021
Northern Rovers 1 (Ilia ZIGHEIMAT 23')
Auckland City FC 8 (Finn McCRACKEN 5', Brooklyn HEATH 44', Addison STEWART 35', 75', 90+1', Kristoff MULLER 73', 88',Sam CLEGG 89')
HT: 1-3.

AC: 1. Finn DOCKERTY (GK), 4. Louie DANIELSON (19. Conan REDDY 65'), 5. Anthony DUNCAN (11. Jeremiah RUAWHARE 56'), 6. Ilham HAMEEDI, 7. Brooklyn HEATH (c), 8. Alex SMITH (17. Samuel CLEGG 56'), 9. Finn McCRACKEN, 10. Kristoff MULLER, 14. Dempsey THOMAS, 15. Marcel STODDARD, 21. Addison STEWART.

SUBS NOT USED: 24. Hayden COOPER (GK).

COACH: Kris BRIGHT.