Rogers on the comeback trail
AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Alfie Rogers looks back on his first 90 minutes since the start of April as Auckland City FC U-23 run away with a 5-2 win over Melville United U-23 on Saturday.
Rogers, a veteran of over 70 first team matches for Auckland City FC, started the Northern League campaign wearing the captain's armband but a heavy challenge in the win over Manukau United left him needing rehab.
The left-sided defender emerged from the treatment room and looked in top form as he gave Kris Bright's U-23 side a helping hand in their Lotto NRFL U-23 Premier Division victory over Melville United U-23 at Gower Park alongside fellow first team regular Reid Drake.
"It was a good game and Melville United made us run quite a bit and had the ball for a lot longer than we expected. They're a good side. Towards the end we pulled away with the late goals which made it a bit easier.
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"I was a bit rusty and the lungs were battling towards the end and rehab has been tough. But it was nice to be out there playing again and its good to finally get some minutes and play football again," he said.
And while Rogers was trying to get back up to speed for the U-23s, he couldn't help notice the talent brimming in Bright's squad and suggests there are several to keep an eye on.
"My advice to the young guys is to keep working, keep battling - some of them are very good and they need to keep pushing and keep progressing their game and work hard.
"Addison today was class but there are more than a few others who are putting their hand up for the future which is good for the long term development of them and the club," he said.
Ends
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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 |
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