Derby bragging rights after Chatham Cup win

Words: ACFC Media

Monday 5 June 2023

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Reigning Chatham Cup holders Auckland City FC have notched up another convincing 2-0 Dominion Road derby win over Auckland United FC to advance to the third round of the competition on Monday afternoon at Keith Hay Park.

Liam Gillion and Ryan De Vries both scored in the second half helping the Navy Blues to claim derby bragging rights with consecutive victories over United at Mount Roskill.

Following a cagey opening with no real chances for either side, City have slowly asserted their dominance from midway through the first half by controlling possession and causing a number of problems to the United defenders using Angus Kilkolly and Gillion as their main attacking outlet.

However, the home side looked dangerous on the counter and they managed to put the ball into Conor Tracey’s net courtesy of Nicolas Zambrano before the assistant referee’s flag was raised for offside.

After the break, City looked dangerous with Nathan Lobo and Gillion combining on the left wing, but it was United who came close to edging ahead with Ishveer Singh-Dhillon flashing his drive just inches wide.

That miss proved costly minutes later as Gillion showed control and composure to give his side the lead with his third goal against Untited at Keith Hay Park this season.

Navy Blues captain Cam Howieson called United keeper Mack Waite into action with a well taken free kick following a foul on Gerard Garriga, as Ryan De Vries came off the bench to inject new energy into proceedings with lovely interplays with Garriga, Joe Lee and Gillion.

And De Vries, the Golden Boot winner at last month’s OFC Champions League in Vanuatu, carried on with his rich goalscoring form by putting the result beyond any doubt minutes before the end of regulation time.

Albert Riera’s men will next face Bay Olympic FC in Round 13 of the Northern League this Saturday.

Match Result
Chatham Cup Round 2
Monday 5, June 2023
Keith Hay park, Mount Roskill
Auckland United FC: 0
Auckland City FC 2 (Liam GILLION 56’, Ryan DE VRIES 88’)

HT: 0-0

AC: 1. Conor TRACEY (GK), 2. Mario ILICH, 3. Adam MITCHELL, 5. Michael DEN HEIJER, 7. Cam HOWIESON (c), 8. Gerard GARRIGA, (15. Aiden CAREY, 9. Angus KILKOLLY, (11. Ryan DE VRIES 62’), 13. Nathan LOBO, 14. Jordan VALE, 16. Joe LEE, (Tong ZHOU, 77’) , 19. Liam GILLION.

SUBS NOT USED 24. Joe WALLIS (GK), 4. Christian GRAY

COACH: Albert RIERA
ASSISTANT COACH: Ivan VICELICH
GK COACH: Enaut ZUBIKARAI
TECHNICAL: Adria CASALS
TECHNICAL: Jarrod WALLACE
LOGISTICS: Keith COTON
PHYSIO: Matt PAYNE