City impress in win over Birkenhead

Words: ACFC Media

Saturday 24 June 2023

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC produced a comprehensive all-round performance to overcome Birkenhead United AFC 2-0 in Round 14 of the Northern League on Saturday afternoon at McFetridge Park.

Ryan De Vries once again led the attacking line with an impressive second half brace, while Conor Tracey pulled off a couple of spectacular saves aided by the defence in front of him making a number of crucial blocks and tackles to keep another clean sheet, City’s fifth in a row.

The Navy Blues had plenty of possession during the first-half but Birkenhead looked dangerous on the counter calling Tracey into action on occasions, including a spectacular diving save to keep the scores level.

De Vries provided City’s best chance in the opening stanza with a close range effort on target but he couldn’t pass Birkenhead’s Croatian keeper Silvio Rodic.

Dylan Hobson’s well directed free-kick kept Tracey busy after the break while Adam Mitchell hit the post at the end other before a last ditch goal line clearance by the Birkenhead defence.

But the hosts couldn’t do anything about City’s opener as Cam Howieson applied great vision with a long range lob over Rodic who did well to tip the ball onto the crossbar before the rebound falling perfectly for De Vries to slam home.

De Vries, who has now scored in eight consecutive matches, doubled his side’s advantage by nodding home from a Howieson corner and the Navy Blues came close to extending their lead with Angus Kilkolly testing Rodic with three well directed attempts.

Birkenhead were reduced to a few chances in the second half but Tracey remained alert pulling off another brilliant diving save in the dying stages of the match.

The result means the Navy Blues now only trail Eastern Suburbs by three points and Albert Riera’s men could leapfrog their rivals at the top of the Northern League table with another win over Manurewa in their catch-up Round 10 clash next Wednesday at the Croatian Cultural Club.

Ends

Match Result
Northern League Round 14
Saturday, 24 June 2023
McFetridge Park, Hillcrest
Birkenhead United AFC : 0
Auckland City FC : 2 (Ryan DE VRIES 53’, 65’)

HT: 0-0

AC - 1-Conor TRACEY (GK), 2- Mario ILICH, 3- Adam MITCHELL, 4-Christian GRAY, 7-Cam HOWIESON (c), 9.- Angus KILKOLLY, 11-Ryan DE VRIES, (19-Liam GILLION 67’), 13-Nathan LOBO, 14- Jordan VALE, 16-Joe LEE, (12- Regont MURATI 81’), 26-Rayan TAYEB (22-Tong ZHOU 75’).

SUBS NOT USED - 24-Joe WALLIS (GK), 6-Dan MORGAN.

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