Ten-man City youngsters claim crucial win

Words: ACFC Media

Saturday 11 May 2024

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC U23 have leapfrogged Bay Olympic into second place on the Lotto NRFL Premiership table by overcoming their rivals 2-1 despite ending Saturday’s  Round 9 clash with a man short at the Croatian Cultural Club.

The young Navy Blues have created a number of opportunities in the first half but were not clinical enough in front of goal while City keeper Reon Werahiko made some crucial saves at the other end to keep the scores level going into the break.

Ryan Revill broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute after putting the ball past Olympic custodian Stone Brewerton with a left-footed attempt from an acute angle near the by-line.  

The complexion of the game has changed in the 63rd minute when Valerio Raccuglia’s men were reduced to 10-man with Rayan Tayeb receiving his marching orders from the referee.

The red card, however, served as extra motivation for the Auckland City players who rallied to double their lead ten minutes later courtesy of Riley Sexton.

Olympic have pulled a goal back in injury time with Michael Graham converting from the penalty spot but the home side held on to record their seventh win in a row and move into the top two of the competition, three points behind leaders Auckland United but with a game in hand.

In other results,  Auckland United defeated East Coast Bays 4-2 while Melville United overcame Western Springs 3-1.

West Coast Rangers eased past Eastern Suburbs 4-1 and Tauranga City have picked up the points with a 3-1 win over Manurewa. 

Hamilton Wanderers and Birkenhead have played later on Saturday afternoon

Raccuglia’s men next host Birkenhead United on Saturday, 18 May at the Croatian Cultural Society with kick-off at 12.00 pm.

Ends

Match Result
Lotto NRFL U-23 Premiership Rd8
Saturday 11 May 2024
Auckland City FC U-23: 2 (Ryan REVILL 53’, Riley SEXTON 73’)
Bay Olympic: 1 (Michael Graham (Pen 90+2)

HT: 0-0 

AC: 18. Reon WERAHIKO GK,),  2. Freddie GIBBINS, 4. Jesse GAGE (c), 6. Riley SEXTON, 7. Nabil BEGG, (Bronson SAMMUT 81’), 8. Tainui ADAMS, (Jerem FOO 66’), 10. Caleb MOOSBALLY, 11. Ryan REVILL, 17. Oscar DUFFY, 20. Matthew Murayiro MATANYAYIRE (Luka VICHELICH 62’), 22. Rayan TAYEB

SUBS NOT USED: (1. Areya PRASAD, 3. Max BREINGAN)

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

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