Kilkolly nets hat-trick as City stay top

Saturday 23 April 2022

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AUCKLAND, New Zealand - An inspired performance and hat-trick from Angus Kilkolly combined with a top team showing by the Navy Blues ensured a 4-0 away win over Bay Olympic today.

The day began with a moment's silence in recognition of Anzac Day, a moment impeccably observed by both clubs and all those in attendance.

Coach Albert Riera made three changes to the team that thrashed North Shore United 7-1 last week with Kilkolly, Dylan Manickum and Joe Lee thrust into the starting eleven with Aidan Carey and Liam Gillion benched and Reid Drake ommitted from the squad.

Bay Olympic, coached by two former Navy Blues legends in head coach Liam Mulrooney and assistant James Pritchett, were well organised and hard working, but suffered an early setback when another former City favourite, Darren White, was replaced inside the first eight minutes after picking up an injury.

The home side had made a solid start to the season but they fell behind on 20 minutes when Jordan Vale found Kilkolly with a pinpoint cross that allowed the big number nine to nod home at the near post.

VIDEO - Kilkolly makes it 1-0

Bay Olympic looked a big threat on the counter attack and tested Conor Tracey through the pace of Tinashe Marowa but they fell further behind when Kilkolly finished off an excellent team move with a deft right foot lob over goalkeeper Oliver Pocock.

Mulrooney made two changes at the break throwing in Jack Duncan and Patch Bowen for Hamed Basiri and Jacob Woolford but within minutes of the restart Ryan De Vries had added a third with a right foot finish past Pocock on 49 minutes.

VIDEO - Fine team goal to make it 2-0

Tracey was called into action twice in the second half to deny Bay Olympic a goal and it was left to Kilkolly to complete a memorable afternoon for himself and his team when he neatly placed an incisive left foot finish past Pocock with four minutes left.

Kilkolly has now scored 26 goals in 26 games for Auckland City FC and today's hat trick was achieved with one goal each from his head, right foot and left foot.

It was also his first hat-trick for the club. 

VIDEO - Ryan De Vries scores

Coach Albert Riera was happy with the performance but paid respect to the work of Mulrooney and Pritchett.

"We have huge respect for what Liam Mulrooney and James Pritchett are doing at Bay Olympic.

"We watched some of the footage of the games Bay Olympic have played and we knew it was going to be very hard for us.

"The whole mindset for this week in training was about this game because we knew it was going to be hard against a very demanding and competitive opponent.

"They're very good on the ball so the levels of concentration of our players today both on and off the ball was second to none.

"I was very happy to be honest," Riera said.

VIDEO - Its a hat-trick for Kilkolly

One player who Riera was happy for was hat-trick man Kilkolly.

"I think Angus has been looking for something like today for the last few weeks.

"I'm so glad for him.

"I remember saying to Angus very recently, it's all about creating chances, being patient and then the goals will come for him.

"I said to him to keep creating the chances and sooner or later the goals are going to come, and today was the day for him and us," he said.

Next week, Auckland City FC take on highflying Birkenhead United who battered Eastern Suburbs AFC 4-0 at Shepherd's Park and Riera was keen to remind his team there is no escape from responsibility in the Northern League.

"Look every game is very hard and we always talk about that and remind the players about this fact.

"If our team think they are going to take a day off, either mentally or physically, and expect to win games, then they should forget about it.

"Every team we play, no matter who it is, wants to beat us," he said.

Elsewhere, Auckland United FC inflicted Hamilton Wanderers first loss of the season in a 2-1 home victory which keeps United in third spot.

Melville United leapfrogged Wanderers after a 6-1 demolition of struggling Waiheke United, while Manukau United and Western Springs shared a point in a 1-1 draw.

North Shore United's struggles continued after a 3-1 defeat to Takapuna AFC with Shore losing goalkeeper Silvio Rodic to a late red card.

Birkenhead United thrashed Eastern Suburbs AFC 4-0 to set up a mouth watering showdown with the Navy Blues at Kiwitea Street next week.

Ends

Match Result
Northern League
Saturday 23 April 2022
Bay Olympic 0
Auckland City FC 4 (Angus KILKOLLY 20', 26', 86', Ryan DE VRIES 49')
HT: 0-2.

AC: 1. Conor TRACEY (GK), 2. Mario ILICH, 5. Angel BERLANGA (c), 7. Cam HOWIESON, 9. Angus KILKOLLY, 10. Dylan MANICKUM (15. Aidan CAREY 71'), 11. Ryan DE VRIES (19. Liam GILLION 65'), 12. Sam BROTHERTON, 13. Nathan LOBO, 14. Jordan VALE, 16. Joe LEE (20. Emiliano TADE 65')

SUBS NOT USED: 23. Alfie ROGERS, 24. Cam BROWN (GK).

COACH: Albert RIERA
ASSISTANT COACH: Ivan VICELICH
GOALKEEPER COACH: Enaut ZUBIKARAI
ANALYST: Adria CASALS
PHYSIO: Matt PAYNE
MANAGER: Keith COTON

MATCH OFFICIALS
REFEREE: Luke GARDNER
ASSISTANT REFEREE 1: Johnathon SMITH
ASSISTANT REFEREE 2: Shawn LIU

OTHER MATCHES

SATURDAY 23 APRIL 2022 
Birkenhead United 4-0 Eastern Suburbs
Manukau United 1-1 Western Springs
North Shore United 1-3 Takapuna AFC
Auckland United FC 2-1 Hamilton Wanderers
Waiheke United 1-6 Melville United

NORTHERN LEAGUE R3

Monday 1 April 2024, Kiwitea Street, 3.00pm

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Position P W D L F A Pts
1 TC1100403
2 AC1100303
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4 BO1100213
5 WS1100323
6 ES1010221
7 WC1010221
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9 ES1001120
10 AU1001030
11 EB1001030
12 ME1001040

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