Young Navy Blues claim win to stay on top

Words: ACFC Media

Saturday 22 July 2023

HAMILTON, New Zealand - Auckland City FC U23s have overcome a slow start to record an impressive 3-1 win against their Melville United counterparts and consolidate their position at the top of the NRFL U-23 Premiership table at Hamilton’s Gower Park on Saturday afternoon.

The City youngsters showed plenty of character to score three unanswered second half goals after falling behind just seconds before the half-time break.

Caleb Woodfield gave the lead to the hosts in the 45th minute, which served as a wake-up call for the league leaders.

Valerio Raccuglia’s troops were in no mood to relinquish their stranglehold on the competition and they were back on level terms four minutes into the second half with Adam Bell sending in a pinpoint cross to set up Jesse Burge for a neat finish from close range.

Stipe Ukich made it 2-1 for the young Navy Blues from the edge of the box before Caleb Moosbally put the result beyond any doubt with a well taken free-kick to the delight of his coach.

“We worked hard to get where we are. We talked in the last seven or eight games about where we wanted to be at this point and we’ve worked hard.

“It’s easy to get there but it’s harder to stay up there, so we have five more games to go and we will need to maximise our chances to win the league,” explained Raccuglia.

The U23’s next face one of their title rivals Eastern Suburbs in a crucial clash on 5 August.

Ends

Match Result
Lotto NRFL U-23 Premier Division Round 17
Saturday, 22 July 2023
Gower Park, Hamilton
Melville Utd Reserves NRFLPR U23 : 1 (Caleb WOODFIELD 45’)
Auckland City FC U23: 3 (Jesse BURGE 49’, Stipe UKICH 64’, Caleb MOOSBALLY 72’)

HT: 1-0

AC: 18 Nicolas EVANS (GK) 4. Jesse GAGE (c), 5. Mario YUGOVICH, (3. Karthik KUMAR 72’), 6. Riley SEXTON, 7. Stipe UKICH, 9. Jesse BURGE , 10. Caleb MOOSBALLY, 12. Jeremy FOO, 14. Ryan REVILL, 20. Neo Noah ECKSTEIN, (15. Luka VICELICH, 60’), 21. Adam BELL (8. Matthew Murayiro MATANYAYIRE 79’)

SUBS NOT USED : 1.Ethan TAIT( GK)

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