Drake celebrates century in style
Words: ACFC Media
Saturday 2 July 2022
WAIHEKE ISLAND, New Zealand - Reid Drake celebrated his 100th game for Auckland City FC in perfect fashion as he and Ryan De Vries scored to seal a 2-0 win over Waiheke United today.
Drake, who scored his first ever goal for the club in a 7-0 win over AS Venus in the OFC Champions League four years ago, finished from close range just five minutes after De Vries had given City the lead over a stubborn United defence.
He said: "It was a very difficult game first half, I thought Waiheke played very well but we knew we could exploit them when they got a little bit tired and obviously I'm happy to contribute with a goal in this specific game.
"100 games is a good feeling, its nice not many people can say they've done that. It's not what we play football for but they are nice milestones to achieve.
"I was happy to contribute with a goal, it was put on a plate by Alfie Rogers, so I've got a reward and thank him for that, so happy days.
"Its a great atmosphere here, Waiheke definitely has a South American vibe and it makes for a good day out and some good football."
VIDEO - Waiheke United create a special atmosphere
6’ | 0-0
— Auckland City FC (@AucklandCity_FC) July 2, 2022
Incredible atmosphere here at Onetangi with the @WaihekeUnited bringing their unique brand of support #WUvAC pic.twitter.com/ybYMtSkjyp
As always, the atmosphere at Onetangi Domain among the Waiheke United fans was superb and they got a performance to match it from their team as the home side made life tough for the visitors.
But yet again after a period of difficulty, Auckland City FC eventually prevailed, as Riera explained.
"I would like to congratulate Reido on his 100th appearance for the Auckland City FC shirt. Coming off the bench, he helped us a lot. After 100 games its so important for us to have players like him in the squad we've had for a long time.
"I knew straight away it was going to be very hard and Waiheke showed they have improved a lot and they were improved a great deal from when we played them at Kiwitea Street in April.
"I'm happy with our performance because its not easy to come here. I thought we were loyal to our style of football and I thought it paid off in the end.
"We love to see this sort of atmosphere in every game we have to look after these clubs, these teams and their supporters and these people and everything they've done for the game.
"Wherever Waiheke United travel, their fans go with them no matter where it is. This is something we all have to learn from," he said.
The win completes a busy week for Albert Riera's team, a week in which they defeated Hamilton Wanderers 2-0, Eastern Suburbs 2-1, and Waiheke United, 2-0.
But the accolades of the day belonged to Drake who became just the 20th player to reach the 100 game mark for Auckland City FC, an impressive achievement considering his 50th appearance came four years ago in a 2-1 win over Hawke's Bay United in the ISPS Handa Premiership on 4 November 2018.
Auckland City FC's next match is in the last 16 of the Chatham Cup when they travel to Olympic Park to take on Liam Mulrooney's Bay Olympic side for a place in the quarter finals.
Elsewhere in the Northern League, Manukau United put a dent in Bay Olympic's top four aspirations when they defeated them 4-2, Melville United lost 0-2 at home to Birkenhead United, North Shore United were thrashed 6-1 at home to Western Springs and Hamilton Wanderers and Takapuna drew 2-2.
Eastern Suburbs suffered another defeat, this time in a 2-0 reverse at home to Auckland United FC.
Ends
GAMES FOR AUCKLAND CITY FC!!!
— Auckland City FC (@AucklandCity_FC) July 2, 2022
CONGRATULATIONS @ReidDrake17 on your century completed with a goal in today's 2-0 win over Waiheke United - look forward to seeing you in many more games for the club! - from everyone at Kiwitea Street
| @PhototekNZ
#StrengthInUnity pic.twitter.com/9CvL0dW8sU
Match Result
Northern League
Saturday 2 July 2022
Waiheke United 0
Auckland City FC 2 (Ryan DE VRIES 60', Reid DRAKE 65')
HT: 0-0.
AC: 1. Cam BROWN (GK), 2. Mario ILICH, 3. Adam MITCHELL, 7. Cam HOWIESON (c), 8. Gerard GARRIGA, 9. Angus KILKOLLY, 12. Sam BROTHERTON, 13. Nathan LOBO, 16. Joe LEE, 20. Emiliano TADE, 23. Alfie ROGERS.
SUBS: 1. Conor TRACEY (GK), 5. Angel BERLANGA, 11. Ryan DE VRIES, 19. Liam GILLION, 17. Reid DRAKE.
COACH: Albert RIERA
ASSISTANT COACH: Ivan VICELICH
GOALKEEPER COACH: Enaut ZUBIKARAI
MANAGER: Keith COTON
ANALYST: Adria CASALS
TECHNICAL: Jarrod WALLACE
PHYSIO: Matt PAYNE
OTHER RESULTS
Hamilton Wanderers 2-2 Takapuna
Bay Olympic 2-4 Manukau United
North Shore United 1-6 Western Springs
Eastern Suburbs 0-1 Auckland United
Melville United 0-2 Birkenhead United
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Player Profiles
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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