Navy Blues face Easter weekend double-header

Words: ACFC Media

Thursday 28 March 2024

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC are eager to build on the start of their Northern League campaign when they host Eastern Suburbs and Tauranga back-to-back on Easter weekend.

A dominant first half performance helped the reigning Northern League Champions to a convincing 3-0 Dominion Road Derby win over Auckland United in the opening match of the 2024 season under lights at Keith Hay Park last Friday night.

And the Navy Blues will be looking to continue on their winning ways when they host 2023 Northern League runners-up Eastern Suburbs AFC at the Croatian Cultural Society in Te Atatū South on Easter Friday from 3pm before their Round 3 encounter against newcomers Tauranga City FC at Kiwitea Street on Easter Monday.

After going the entire 2023 season undefeated, Eastern Suburbs have kicked off their 2024 Northern League season with a. 2-1 loss to Bay Olympic at Olympic Park.

Friday’s match will be the 19th encounter between the two clubs since their first meeting in December 2016 which ended in a 1-0 win for City courtesy of an Emiliano Tade goal.

Despite pushing the Navy Blues to their limits on a number of occasions and four previous draws, Eastern Suburbs are still searching for their first win against City.

In their 15 wins and four previous draws against Suburbs the Navy Blues have notched up 36 goals while conceded 10.

Meanwhile Northern League newcomers Tauranga City produced an impressive display to kick off their Northern League campaign by cruising past Melville United 4-0 with young centre-forward Jonty Bidois scoring a hat-trick for his side.

The two teams have only met once before in Round 3 of the Chatham Cup in 2021 with the Navy Blues recording a 7-2 win.

Dylan Manickum scored a hat-trick for City, Cam Howieson grabbed a brace while Reid Drake and Angus Kilkolly chimed in with one goal each for the Navy Blues.

MATCH DETAILS
Northern League Round 2
Friday 29 March 2024
Auckland City FC v Eastern Suburbs AFC
Croatian Cultural Society, Te Atatū South
Kick-off: 3.00pm

Northern League Round 3
Monday 1 April 2024
Auckland City FC v. Tauranga City FC
Kiwitea Street, Sandringham
Kick-off: 3.00pm

AC SQUAD: 1-Conor TRACEY (GK), 2- Mario ILICH, 3- Adam MITCHELL, 4-Christian GRAY, 5- Timothy BOULET, 7-Cam HOWIESON (c), 8-Gerard GARRIGA. 9-Angus KILKOLLY, 10-Dylan MANICKUM, 11-Ryan DE VRIES, 12- Regont MURATI, 13-Nathan LOBO, 15- Caleb MOOSBALLY, 16-Joe LEE, 17-Joe RIDLEY, 18 - Areya PRASAD (GK), 19-Liam GILLION, 21- Adam BELL, 22-Tong ZHO, 23- Alfie ROGERS, 24-Joe WALLIS (GK), 25- Michael DEN HEIJER, 26-Rayan TAYEB, 27-Stipe UKICH.

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