Navy Blues maintain perfect record

Words: ACFC Media

Sunday 21 April 2024

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Gerard Garriga scored an impressive hat-trick while Angus Kilkolly marked his 100th game for the club as Auckland City FC made it six wins in a row by defeating Melville Utd 7-3 in Saturday’s Round 6 clash at Kiwitea.

Joe Lee gave an early lead to the Navy Blues but the visitors responded almost immediately at the other end courtesy of John Oakman.

Melville, searching for their first ever victory over City, found themselves 2-1 ahead in the 14th minute when Christian Gray headed the ball inside his own net from an expertly delivered free-kick.

Garriga levelled the scores with his first goal of the afternoon before the home side regained the ascendency thanks to a superb strike by Dylan Manickum in the 32nd minute.

Just four minutes later Garriga grabbed his second providing a two-goal cushion and some much needed breathing space to the Navy Blues before the break.

Following the restart in-form forward Liam Gillion notched up his sixth goal in six matches and Garriga sealed his hat-trick with a stunning long range effort.

Garriga was replaced by Angus Kilkolly who came on for his 100th match for the club in the 63rd minute.

And Kilkolly marked the milestone occasion in style by netting just seven minutes after his entry to make it 7-2.

Thomas Cave scored in the final minute for the visitors to wrap up an action-packed afternoon at Kiwitea Street.

Elsewhere, Western Springs have kept pace with the Navy Blues with a 4-2 away win against the Hamilton Wanderers, while third-placed Birkenhead were forced to settle for a scoreless draw with East Coast Bays.

In other results, Tauranga City defeated the West Coast Rangers 2-1, Manurewa edged past Bay Olympic 4-3 and Auckland United suffered a 1-0 loss at home to Eastern Suburbs.

Auckland City will next host Bay Olympic on Wednesday night at the Croatian Club with kick-off at 7:30pm before Saturday’s top of the table clash against Western Spring at Kiwitea from 3:00pm

Ends

Match Result
Saturday, 20 April 2024
Northern League Rd6
Auckland City FC: 7 (Joe LEE 5' Gerard GARRIGA 23', 36', 58' Dylan MANICKUM 32' Liam GILLION 54' Angus KILKOLLY 70’)
Melville Utd AFC: 3 (John OAKMAN 6' Christian GRAY 14' (OG) Thomas CAVE 90’)

HT: 4-2

AC: 24. Joe WALLIS (GK), 2. Mario ILICH, (25. Michael DEN HEIJER 78’), 3. Adam MITCHELL, 4. Christian GRAY, 8. Gerard GARRIGA, (Angus KILKOLLY 63’), 10. Dylan MANICKUM, 13. Nathan LOBO, (23 Alfie ROGERS 78’) 16. Joe LEE, 19. Liam GILLION, ((12. Regont MURATI 78’), 21. Adam BELL, 27. Stipe UKICH

SUBS NOT USED: 1. Conor TRACEY (GK) ,

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