City youngsters score 13 to romp past Rangers

Words: ACFC Media

Saturday 1 July 2023

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC U23s have carried on their impressive winning run crushing their West Coast Rangers counterparts 13-1 on Saturday afternoon at Huapai Reserve to maintain their Lotto NRFL U-23 Premiership title chase.

Currently in second place on the competition table, the young Navy Blues are just two points behind leaders Bay Olympic, but with a superior goal difference.

And if today’s match against the Rangers is any indication of the motivation, form and confidence of the Navy Blues youngsters, there is little doubt that Valerio Raccuglia’s charges remain on track of their title defence.

Caleb Moosbally opened the scoring in the 17th minute with the first of his two goals of the match before producing a remarkable eight assists in his man-of -the-match performance.

Rising teenage star Stipe Ukich, who made an eye-catching debut for the Auckland City first team in their Round 3 Chatham Cup win against Bucklands Beach a couple of weeks ago at Kiwitea, has netted four times, twice on either side of the break.

Jesse Burge grabbed a brace while in-form Ryan Revill also contributed by getting himself on the scoresheet for the fourth consecutive matches.

Oscar Duffy, Petram Hassanian, Jesse Gage and Matthew Murayiro Matanyayire have also joined in the fun while Rangers saved their blushes with a single reply courtesy of Finn Carpenter.

The U23’s next face their Auckland United NFRL U23 rivals in round 16 of the competition on 15 July at the Croatian Club.

Ends

Match Result
Lotto NRFL U-23 Premier Division Round 15
Saturday, 1 July 2023
Huapai Reserve
West Coast Rangers U23: 1 (Finn CARPENTER 46’,)
Auckland City FC U23: 13 (Caleb MOOSBALLY 17', 54’, Stipe UKICH 30', 40', 50', 64’, Oscar DUFFY 32’, Jesse GAGE 49’, Ryan REVILL 61’, Matthew Murayiro MATANYAYIRE 81’, Petram HASSANIAN 86’, Jesse BURGE 88', 90')

HT: 0-4

AC: 18 Nicolas EVANS (GK) 4. Jesse GAGE (c), 5. Aiden CAREY, 6. Riley SEXTON, 7. Stipe UKICH, 10. Caleb MOOSBALLY, 12. Jeremy FOO, 16. Petram HASSANIAN 64’), 14. Ryan REVILL, ((8. Matthew Murayiro MATANYAYIRE 61’), 17. Oscar DUFFY, (9. Jesse BURGE 54’), 20. Neo Noah ECKSTEIN, (15. Luka VICELICH, 54’), 21. Adam BELL

SUBS NOT USED : 1. Binath Sanithu PERERA( GK)

HEAD COACH: Valerio RACCUGLIA
ASSISTANT COACH: Alfie ROGERS
TEAM MANAGER: Dinesh CHAND