Navy Blues complete unbeaten season to claim title
Words: ACFC Media
Saturday 2 September 2023
AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC cruised past Manukau United FC 6-1 to secure their third Northern League title in a row on the back of an undefeated season in front of their fans at Kiwitea Street on Saturday afternoon.
Ryan De Vries scored a first half hat-trick to take his 2023 Northern League tally to 19 goals and finish equal top scorer with the Hamilton Wanderers’ Derek Tieku.
New recruit Oliver Colloty got off the mark in just his second game for the Navy Blues while Dylan Manickum and Gerard Garriga also made a contribution in front of goal on a festive afternoon at Sandringham.
The visitors made a lively start to test City keeper Joe Wallis during the early exchanges before Albert Riera’s charges took control of the proceedings.
City’s top scorer broke the deadlock in the 21st minute after taking advantage of howler from Manukau keeper Xander Hart.
De Vries grabbed his and the Navy Blues’ second only seven minutes later and he completed his hat-trick in the 41st minute to spark early celebrations at Kiwitea Street.
Garriga and Kilkolly both came close to extending the lead but nothing could deny Manickum giving his side a comfortable 4-goal lead at the break.
With the contest all but over Garriga joined in on the fun with a lovely finish before Manukau pulled one back courtesy of an Emman Rahimi free-kick.
Colloty came off the bench to make it 6-1 deep into injury time for his maiden goal for the club as the Navy Blues sealed an impressive unbeaten season and a third consecutive Northern League crown.
City finished the season four points clear of Eastern Suburbs, who were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw with Auckland United at Madills Farm in their final match.
City won 19 of their 22 matches, drew three and scored 64 goals while conceding only nine.
Suburbs finished the season also unbeaten but their 17 victories and five draws were not enough to dethrone the defending champions.
Match Result
Northern League Round 22
Saturday 2 September 2023
Kiwitea Street, Sandringham
Auckland City FC: 6 (Ryan DE VRIES 21', 28', 41' Dylan MANICKUM 43' Gerard GARRIGA 60' Oliver COLLOTY 90’+3)
Manukau United FC: 1 (Emman RAHIMI 69’)
HT: 4-0
AC - 24- Joe WALLIS (GK), 2- Mario ILICH, 4-Christian GRAY, 5-Michael DEN HEIJER, (6- Daniel MORGAN 68’), 8- Gerard GARRIGA, 9- Angus KILKOLLY, (20- Emiliano TADE 68’), 10- Dylan MANICKUM, (17- Oliver COLLOTY 56’)11- Ryan DE VRIES, 14-Jordan VALE, (15- Aiden CAREY, 56’), 25- Takuya IWATA, 26- Rayan TAYEB
SUBS NOT USED 1- Conor TRACEY, (GK)
COACH: Albert RIERA
ASSISTANT COACH: Ivan VICELICH
GK COACH: Enaut ZUBIKARAI
TECHNICAL: Adria CASALS
TECHNICAL: Jarrod WALLACE
LOGISTICS: Keith COTON
PHYSIO: Matt PAYNE
NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP R4
Sun 20 October 2024, v Western Suburbs, Endeavour Park, 1.30pm
Player Profiles
Table
| Position | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | AC | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 7 |
| 2 |  | NC | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 5 |
| 3 |  | WP | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
| 4 |  | WO | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 4 |
| 5 |  | CS | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 4 |
| 6 |  | BU | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 4 |
| 7 |  | CT | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
| 8 |  | ES | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 4 |
| 9 |  | WS | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 3 |
| 10 |  | WE | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 12 | 1 |
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