U-23 - Second half salvo seals win

Words: Nick Brown

Saturday 2 July 2022

WAIHEKE ISLAND, New Zealand - A second half goal salvo gives Auckland City FC U-23 a vital 3-0 away win over Waiheke United U-23 at Onetangi Domain today.

The Navy Blues U-23s went into the game as strong favourites to continue their winning form but a combination of poor finishing and hard work from the home side saw the teams go into the break goalless.

A familiar face making his first appearance for the club's U-23 side in almost a year was striker Finn McCracken.

McCracken, who holds the team record of most goals scored at this level with 12, lined up alongside two exciting talents in Legion Rogerson and Will Eng.

While the combination didn't click in the first half, it definitely hit its straps in the second with Rogerson getting his fourth goal in two games when he hit the opener with a beautiful freekick on the hour mark.

Eng then helped himself to a brace, goals that saw him leapfrog McCracken into top spot for most goals scored with 14.

VIDEO | #NavyBlues U23 prepare for this afternoon’s game with @WaihekeUnited kick off at 12:30pm #WUvAC @LOTTONRFL pic.twitter.com/hhtCXleNzI
— Auckland City FC (@AucklandCity_FC) July 2, 2022

While Eng had some personal achievements to savour in the second half he was practical and honest about where that fit within the context of the team's objectives.

"I thought it was a very good game overall I think the first half our backline and our defender and midfield were exceptional but the front three needed to be a bit more clinical.

"But in the second half we demonstrated our ability in front of goal," he said.

When asked about his goals, he deferred to his team and gave them thanks.

"I have to give credit to the team (for my goals), they're the ones who beat players and set up chances, I'm just the one who puts them in the goal.

"The most important thing today was to get the three points and especially in front of the Waiheke fans. They make a very special atmosphere," he said.

Ends

Match Details
Lotto NRFL U-23 Premier Division
Saturday 2 July 2022
Waiheke United U-23 0
Auckland City FC U-23 3 (Legion ROGERSON 58', Will ENG 61', 70')
HT: 0-0.

AC: 1. Finn DOCKERTY (GK), 2. Jesse GAGE, 4. Christian GRAY, 5. Marcel STODDARD, 6. Takuya IWATA, 7. Legion ROGERSON, 9. Will ENG, 10. Finn McCRACKEN, 11. Rayan TAYEB, 12. Ilham HAMEEDI, 13. Adam BELL.

SUBS: 14. Riley SEXTON, 15. Max SUTTON, 16. Louie DANIELSON, 17. Oscar DUFFY.

COACH: Kris BRIGHT
ASSISTANT: Paul DRAKE.