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Minor title won in dramatic finale

Words: ACFC Media

Sunday 5 March 2017

Picture: Phototek

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC are Stirling Sports minor premiers after a last gasp 2-1 win over Gridlock Derby rivals Eastern Suburbs AFC at Kiwitea Street today.

The Navy Blues made a cracking start to the match creating a spate of very good chances with Emiliano Tade's firm shot saved by Silvio Rodic after just a minute.

Dae Wook Kim then got in on the act when Rodic saved his powerful header at point blank range.

The Lilywhites were rocking and Tristan Prattley was called into action when Clayton Lewis beat Rodic only for the former Waitakere United and Southern United defender to clear off the line.

While the Navy Blues dominated the half perhaps by virtue of the quality of opportunities created it was the Lilywhites who very nearly opened the scoring.

Jordan Vale spotted Enaut Zubikarai off his line and clipped a beautiful shot goalwards that the former Real Sociedad keeper tipped onto the crossbar and out for a corner.

The Lilywhites edged closer to scoring the game's first goal when a beautifully crafted Tim Payne free-kick was headed just wide of the Navy Blues upright by defender Marko Dordevic.

It was a clearance that could so easily have ended up in the back of Dordevic's own goal.

The Navy Blues started the second half in similar vein with the Lily Whites once more grateful to Rodic who made yet another top stop when he blocked a Joao Moreira header at close range.

Moreira was prevented from opening the scoring when Rodic dashed off his line only for the big striker to trundle a ball towards an open goal with Ross Haviland clearing off his line.

Moments later Moreira was clear again but this time Haviland could only bring the Portuguese striker down for a penalty.

Moreira dispatched the penalty with aplomb leaving Rodic powerless to do anything as the ball ripped into the top right hand corner of the net on 67 minutes.

Eastern Suburbs AFC needed two goals to restore some degree of comfort in their bid for a playoff spot but were reduced to long range efforts.

The match was tipped on its head when Moses Dyer swept home at close range after Zubikarai parried a Tieku shot into the All Whites path with two minutes to play.

Navy Blues fans were shattered but there was one more twist when Lewis raced clear cut the ball back for Tade whose shot was partially blocked by Rodic but had enough on it to hit the back of the net for a 90th minute winner.

Victory the Navy Blues their fourth consecutive minor premiership in a row - a new competition record - and also cemented OFC Champions League qualification for another season.

Defeat for Eastern Suburbs AFC means the Lilywhites must hope Hawke's Bay United draw or lose their final game of the season. 

The Navy Blues next match is the OFC Champions League group clash with Western United at Centre Park, Mangere, on 11 March, 2017.

The kick-off for that game is 4pm.

Ends

Match Result
Sunday 5 March 2017
Stirling Sports Premiership
Auckland City FC 2 (Joao Moreira 67'-pen, Emiliano Tade 90')
Eastern Suburbs AFC 1 (Moses Dyer 88')
Halftime: 0-0
#ACvES

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