U-23 put on dominant show

Words: ACFC Media

Sunday 14 April 2024

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC U-23 scored seven unanswered goals brushing aside their West Coast Rangers counterparts to extend their winning streak to three consecutive matches in the Lotto NRFL Premiership on Saturday afternoon.

In windy conditions at Fred Taylor Park, the young Navy Blues have dominated proceedings from the outset racing to a three-goal lead inside 12 minutes.

Ryan Revill opened the scoring before Gabriel Pereira Castelo doubled the visitors’ advantage with a superb chip over Rangers keeper Liam Gilbert from inside the box.

Revill rose to meet an expertly delivered corner by Caleb Moosbally to head home for the third as the City stamped their authority on the game.

Castelo grabbed his brace and his side’s fourth with another lovely finish and Jesse Burge rounded Gilbert giving Valerio Raccuglia’s charges a five-goal lead at the break.

The Navy Blues youngsters were in no mood to take the foot off the pedal as Burge added another five minutes into the second half.

Rayan Tayeb capped a ruthless performance by City with a cooly taken penalty conversion in the 65th minute.

In other results, league leaders Auckland United cruised past Melville United 5-1, Eastern Suburbs defeated Manurewa 2-0 while second-placed Bay Olympic edged past Birkenhead united 2-1.

Elsewhere, East Coast Bays sitting in third spot thrashed Hamilton 8-1 and Western Springs defeated Tauranga City 4-2.

The Young Navy Blues, who have played a game less than their rivals in the Top Three, are in fifth place with three wins from four matches.

Next week, Auckland City FC U-23 host Melville United U-23 at the Croatian Cultural Club on Saturday 20 April with kick-off scheduled for 12.00 pm.

Ends

Match Result
Lotto NRFL U-23 Premiership Rd5
Friday 12 April 2024
West Coast Rangers U-23: 0
Auckland City FC U-23: 7 (Ryan REVILL 7’, 12, Gabriel PEREIRA CASTELO 8, 23’, Jesse BURGE, 41’ 50’, Rayan TAYEB 65’)
HT: 0-5

AC: 18. Reon WERAHIKO GK, (1. Areya PRASAD 45’), 2. Freddie GIBBINS, (3. Max BREINGAN, 64’) 4. Jesse GAGE (c), 6. TimothY BOULET, 8. Tainui ADAMS, (15. Luka VICELICH 64’), 9. Jesse BURGE, 10. Caleb MOOSBALLY, 11. Ryan REVILL, (7. Nabil BEGG, 54’), Matthew Murayiro MATANYAYIRE, 54’), 19. Gabriel PEREIRA CASTELO, 22. Rayan TAYEB, 23. Alfie ROGERS.

SUBS NOT USED:

COACH: Valerio RACCUGLIA
ASSISTANT COACH: Ivan VICELICH
ASSISTANT COACH: Archie DIAS
TEAM MANAGER: Dinesh CHAND