Comfortable win for Navy Blues

Words: ACFC Media

Wednesday 2 March 2022

Picture: Phototek

AUCKLAND CITY FC turned in an outstanding performance at Te Atatu this evening to deservedly defeat Northern League rivals Eastern Suburbs AFC, 4-1.

Goals from Ryan De Vries and Kenny Miller either side of half-time saw Albert Riera’s side warm-up for this Saturday’s East Coast Bays friendly in fine fashion.

In front of a quiet Croatian Cultural Centre, it was the Navy Blues who began the brighter.

Twice inside the opening ten minutes, Ryan De Vries and Reid Drake went close to opening the scoring.

At the other end, the Navy Blues were dispossessed not far from Cam Brown's goal only for the Lilywhites to miss the chance to take an early lead.

Then, only moments later, Auckland City FC took a deserved lead through the excellent De Vries.

Putting immense pressure on Suburbs, Cam Howieson won the ball in a dangerous area of the pitch, found Angus Kilkolly who teed it off to Reid Drake who then found De Vries with a brilliant pass allowing the former New Zealand international to then slid a shot under the onrushing goalkeeper.

Suburbs began the second half with significantly more purpose, and only some outstanding City defending denied the visitors in the opening minutes.

But that situation changed when forward John Van As nicked the ball off the Navy Blues and let rip with an unstoppable shot to leave Cam Brown stranded and level the game.

Just as it seemed Suburbs would get themselves back into the game, Kilkolly surged up field after a Suburbs corner and converted a great chance against the run of play to restore the Navy Blues advantage.

Liam Gillion got in on the act when he scored a lovely long range goal midway through the second half to put some distance between the Navy Blues and Eastern Suburbs AFC.

It was Gillion's second goal in as many games following on from the 4-0 win over West Coast Rangers last week.

With a young Suburbs side wilting near the end, a fourth goal arrived when skipper Cam Howieson scored directly from a corner to extend the lead yet further.

Auckland City FC thoroughly deserved their win here this evening, and now go forth to Saturday's friendly with East Coast Bays in high spirits.

Ends

Match Result
Pre-season friendly
Wednesday 2 March 2022
Auckland City FC 4 (Ryan DE VRIES 15', Angus KILKOLLY 54', Liam GILLION 70', Cam HOWIESON 82')
Eastern Suburbs AFC 1 (John VAN AS 47')
HT: 1-0.

AC: 1. Cam BROWN (GK); 2. Mario ILICH, 3. Adam MITCHELL, 7. Cam HOWIESON, 9. Angus KILKOLLY, 11. Ryan DE VRIES, 12. Sam BROTHERTON, 14. Jordan VALE, 16. Joe LEE, 17. Reid DRAKE, 23. Alfie ROGERS.

SUBS USED: 1. Conor TRACEY (GK), 10. Dylan MANICKUM, 13. Adam BELL, 15. Aidan CAREY, 19. Liam GILLION, 22. Rayan TAYEB.

COACH: Albert RIERA.

*Updated substitutions to follow in the coming hours. 

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