Navy Blues sweep Wanderers aside

Words: ACFC Media

Sunday 19 February 2017

Picture: Phototek

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC apply pressure on the chasing pack after beating Hamilton Wanderers for the second time in four days.

The quality of the 4-1 win will certainly make the chasing pack sit up and take notice.

That said, the Navy Blues started rustily, understandable given their heavy fixture backlog, but were soon in control following a mistake by Wanderers goalkeeper Max Tommy.

The Wanderers goalkeeper clipped a clearance directly into the path of Emiliano Tade who sped past a defence in disrray to slam home an unstoppable shot on 20 minutes.

Wanderers struggled to create many chances but maintained enough tactical discipline and organisation to keep the Navy Blues on their toes.

Those qualities weren't enough when Clayton Lewis stretched Auckland City FC's lead when a quickly taken free-kick by Fabrizio Tavano allowed the diminuitive midfielder to get clear of the defence.

Max Tommy attempted to narrow the angle but could offer no resistance to Lewis' expert finish that ensured the home side went at the break with a 2-0 lead.

The Navy Blues almost went further ahead just after the restart when Mario Bilen slammed a shot against Tommy's crossbar after a slick set-piece at a corner.

That miss merely delayed Auckland City FC's goal glut when another excellent set-piece move saw Lewis arrive late to drill home a shot from distance to make it 3-0.

There was time for Wanderers to take some consolation from the match when Stafford Dowling scored with two minutes to play.

But the final word belonged to the Navy Blues when Fabrizio Tavano thundered home a sensational long range shot to round off a fine afternoon for coach Ramon Tribulietx and his team.

Elsewhere, Team Wellington kept up the pressure on the Navy Blues with a 3-1 away win at Southern United. Waitakere United recovered from their 7-2 hammering at the hands of Team Wellington to edge Canterbury United 2-1 in Christchurch.

The surprise of the day happened in Nelson where a rejuvenated Tasman United dumped Eastern Suburbs AFC 2-1 at Trafalgar Park. Hawke's Bay United took full advantage of the Lilywhites slip when they thrashed Wellington Phoenix U-20 by 7-2.

Auckland City FC sit top with a superior goal difference over Team Wellington with both teams on 30 points each, Waitakere United are third on 28, Eastern Suburbs AFC remain on 27, Hawke's Bay United 26 and Canterbury United - who travel north to face Eastern Suburbs AFC in their next match and must win to keep their playoff hopes alive, sit on 24.

The Navy Blues are next in action on Wednesday 22 February when they play host to Southern United in a catch-up fixture at Kiwitea Street.

The match kicks off at 1pm.

Ends

Match Result
Stirling Sports Premiership
Sunday 19 February 2017
Auckland City FC 3 (Emiliano Tade 20', Clayton Lewis 42', 55')
Hamilton Wanderers
Halftime: 2-0

Next match

Stirling Sports Premiership
Wednesday 22 February 2017
Auckland City FC v Southern United
Kiwitea Street, Sandringham
kick-off: 1pm NZST
#ACvSU

 

 

Related Articles

NORTHERN LEAGUE R2

Friday 29 March 2024, Croatian Club, 3.00pm

AC
vs
ES
Player Profiles
Table
Position P W D L F A Pts
1 TC1100403
2 AC1100303
3 MN1100303
4 BO1100213
5 WS1100323
6 ES1010221
7 WC1010221
8 BU1001230
9 ES1001120
10 AU1001030
11 EB1001030
12 ME1001040

Full Ladder

Friends of Football
Photo Gallery
Facebook
Twitter
Auckland City FC Social