U-23 win opens door for youngsters
WHENUAPAI, Auckland - - Auckland City FC U-23's juggernaut rolls on after they thrashed West Coast Rangers 7-0 at a sundrenched Fred Taylor Park in Whenaupai today.
Coach Kris Bright was forced into an early change after goalkeeper Finn Dockerty was injured in the warm-up and replaced by 15-year-old Anthony Moodie while up-and-comer Addison Stewart was picked for his first team debut following top performances against Northern Rovers.
Those disruptions hardly made a difference as the Navy Blues U-23 picked up where they left off last week.
HOLIDAY FOOTBALL ENROL NOW!
— Auckland City FC (@AucklandCity_FC) April 13, 2021
Monday 19 April - Thursday 22 April
Venue: St Peter’s College turf
Time: 9:00am - 12.00pm daily
Cost: $120.00
More information:
Registration: https://t.co/A95xfa7t8k
Email: director@academy.football
#NavyBlues
#StrengthInUnity pic.twitter.com/KATxSAPxH8
West Coast Rangers made life tough for the visitors but they couldn't prevent Finn McCracken opening the scoring ten minutes before the break. Jeremiah Ruawhare doubled the lead on halftime to give Bright's youngsters a comfortable lead.
The second half proved one-way traffic.
McCracken scored just after the restart and Ruawhare notched his second and City's fourth near the hour mark. West Coast Rangers resistance crumbled with McCracken bagging another to complete a hat-trick, Dempsey Thomas one, his second in two games, and substitute Sam Clegg helping himself to the seventh.
Bright was happy with the the victory but more focused on the quickly developing talent under his tutelage.
"We didn't make the most amazing start but we still controlled the match. Once we scored the first goal the team grew in confidence.
"The harder we work the better the results we are going to get.
"We had to make five changes to the team that played last week and Anthony Moodie is just 15-years-old and hasn't played at U-17 level yet.
"Anthony did very well and a few people have asked about whether we have first team players in our side but that hasn't happened yet.
"The objective for this group of players is to put pressure on the first team.
"José is at every game and watches every player each week, he shakes their hand and talks to them .
"These players are starting to push the first team and with Addison Stewart starting today they believe in the possibility that it could be them in the future," he said.
Ends
Match Result
Lotto NRFL U-23 Premier Division
Saturday 17 April 2021
West Coast Rangers 0
Auckland City FC 7 (Finn McCRACKEN 35', 47', 65', Jeremiah RUAWHARE 45', 58', Dempsey THOMAS 69', Sam CLEGG 79')
HT: 0-2.
AC: 24. Anthony MOODIE (GK), 5. Anthony DUNCAN, 6. Wilson FISHER, 7. Brooklyn HEATH, 8. Alex SMITH, 9. Finn McCRACKEN ( 16. Sam CLEGG 69'), 10. Jeremiah RUAWHARE, 13. Fardeen MOHAMMED, 14. Dempsey THOMAS, 17. Ilham HAMEEDI, 20. Aidan CAREY.
SUBS NOT USED: 1. Finn DOCKERTY (GK), 10. Kristoff MULLER, 12. Rhys DAVIES, 19. Conan REDDY.
COACH: Kris BRIGHT
ASSISTANT: Paul DRAKE
Related Articles
NORTHERN LEAGUE R6
Saturday 20 April 2024, Kiwitea Street, 3pm
Player Profiles
Table
| Position | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | AC | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 3 | 15 |
| 2 |  | WS | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 12 |
| 3 |  | BU | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 5 | 9 |
| 4 |  | BO | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 6 | 9 |
| 5 |  | MN | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 5 | 7 |
| 6 |  | AU | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 6 |
| 7 |  | ES | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 6 |
| 8 |  | TC | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 11 | 3 |
| 9 |  | MU | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 16 | 3 |
| 10 |  | WR | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 2 |
| 11 |  | HW | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 12 | 1 |
| 12 |  | EB | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 0 |
Friends of Football
