City close in on league title

Words: ACFC Media

Saturday 7 August 2021

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC closed in on the Northern League title after a routine 4-1 win over North Shore United at rain-soaked Kiwitea Street today.

REPLAY - Reid Drake opens the scoring @ReidDrake17 vollies home for the #NavyBlues over @NSUAFC_Official #ACvNS #NavyBlues #StrengthInUnity #NZNationalLeague pic.twitter.com/a9RjNJsp2t
— Auckland City FC (@AucklandCity_FC) August 7, 2021

Coach Figueira made six changes to the team that exited the Chatham Cup at Miramar Rangers with Addison Stewart, Cam Brown, Kristoff Muller, Adam Thurston and Adam Mitchell deployed as Conor Tracey, Mario Bilen, Mario Ilich, Dylan Manickum, Jordan Vale and the suspended Myer Bevan dropped out.

51' | 3-0

GOAL!!! Alfie Rogers makes it 3-0 to the #NavyBlues. #ACvNS #NavyBlues #StrengthInUnity #NZNationalLeague pic.twitter.com/jQfm6ObQYa
— Auckland City FC (@AucklandCity_FC) August 7, 2021

The Navy Blues started the game with far more purpose than their David Farrington Park adventure and their efforts were rewarded quickly after Reid Drake opened the scoring with a brilliant volley with the outside of his right foot just seven minutes into the game.

The City midfielder was in the act again when he slotted past Silvio Rodic in the 20th minute to leave the visitors struggling for a foothold in the game.

A brilliant pass from Addison Stewart found Alfie Rogers who swept home a beautiful finish by Alfie Rogers.

REPLAY - Auckland City FC 3-0 North Shore United

Alfie Rogers sweeps home a great finish after a scintillating pass by Addison Stewart to make it 3-0 #ACvNS #NavyBlues #StrengthInUnity #NZNationalLeague pic.twitter.com/ITWgHhypFa
— Auckland City FC (@AucklandCity_FC) August 7, 2021

Rogers was busy down the left hand side and laid on a hat-trick opportunity for Drake who only just failed to find a clean connection to make it four nil.

The match took a twist when Joseph Lee capitalised on some brain fade defending to slot home from a tight angle on the hour mark.

The Navy Blues had the ball in the net with 18 minutes to go when a Cam Howieson volley deflected off Stewart past Rodic only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

City didn't have long to wait before they scored a legitimate fourth after Angus Kilkolly smashed home a brilliant penalty kick on 79 minutes.

REPLAY - Auckland City FC 4-1 North Shore United @AngusKilkolly16 gets in on the scoring act from the penalty mark#ACvNS #NavyBlues #StrengthInUnity #NZNationalLeague pic.twitter.com/d6FlpTRWJq
— Auckland City FC (@AucklandCity_FC) August 7, 2021

The victory means Auckland City FC can win the title when they travel to Birkenhead United's Shepherd's Park after the Navy Blues nearest challengers Auckland United FC were unexpectedly drubbed 4-1 by Western Springs at Keith Hay Park.

Ends

Match Result
Northern League
Saturday 7 August 2021
Auckland City FC 4 (Reid DRAKE 7', 20', Alfie ROGERS 51', Angus KILKOLLY 79'-pen)
North Shore United 1 (Joseph LEE 59')
HT: 2-0

AC: 24. Cam BROWN (GK), 3. Adam MITCHELL, 6. Brian KALTAK (17. Andrew BLAKE 46'), 7. Cam HOWIESON, 8. Adam THURSTON (2. Mario ILICH 66'), 9. Angus KILKOLLY, 11. Reid DRAKE, 12. Sam BROTHERTON, 20. Addison STEWART, 22. Kristoff MULLER (10. Dylan MANICKUM 73'), 23. Alfie ROGERS.

SUBS NOT USED: 18. Conor TRACEY (GK), 4. Mario BILEN.

COACH: José FIGUEIRA
ASSISTANT COACH: Ivan VICELICH
GK COACH: Enaut ZUBIKARAI
PHYSIO: Matt PAYNE
TEAM MANAGER: Keith COTON
S&C COACH: Adria CASALS
ANALYST: Jarrod WALLACE
ANALYST: Dan GORDON

OTHER RESULTS

SATURDAY 7 AUGUST 2021
Eastern Suburbs 2-0 Northern Rovers
Auckland United FC 1-4 Western Springs
Hamilton Wanderers 1-4 Manukau United
Bay Olympic 1-0 West Coast Rangers
Melville United 0-3 Birkenhead United