Juniors topple Canterbury to stay unbeaten

Words: ACFC Media

Sunday 5 November 2017

Picture: Phototek

 AUCKLAND, New Zealand - The Junior Navy Blues have continued their unbeaten start to the National Youth League season with a 4-2 victory over Canterbury United in wet conditions at the Croatian Club in West Auckland on Saturday afternoon. 

The win – the second on the bounce for Aaron MacFarland’s charges – moved them level with Wellington Phoenix U-17s at the top of the table overnight. Defending champions Hamilton Wanderers have the chance to reclaim top spot when they face Eastern Suburbs on Sunday.

The scoring action started in the 20th minute when Antonio Bonkovic who spurned a golden opportunity two minutes earlier slammed the ball into the back of the net to put the Junior Navy Blues ahead.

Justin Bailey doubled the lead in the 34th minute, evading three defenders to fire home his second goal in two weeks as the Junior Navy Blues cruised to half time.

Canterbury United, who were also unbeaten before their visit to Auckland, pulled a goal back seven minutes into the second spell when Aaron MacDonald fired an unstoppable shot past Cameron Brown to reignite the contest.

However, this was short lived as Sione Fa’apoi headed home a minute later to restore the Junior Navy Blues’ two-goal advantage.

Canterbury United’s push for a way back into the game eventually bore fruit in the 76th minute with Jacob Richards making the score 3-2 and a minute later Richards went agonizingly close to equalising only for the ball to go narrowly wide.

Dino Botica sealed the result for the home side in stoppage time scoring from a rebound after his penalty was saved at the first attempt.

Junior navy Blues coach Aaron MacFarland was praised the spirit and cohesion of his side but said Canterbury United gave his side plenty to think about.

“It was another great learning opportunity and today there were a couple of big things,” MacFarland said.

“Firstly, it was around how to break a team down in possession – we did that quite well in the first half and then in the second half it was around how to manage a game when a team is really going for it and pressing you.

“To be fair Canterbury caused a lot of issues in the second half and it’s managing that through securing the ball and being a bit more patient.

“It was a good game for us and it was great to come out on the positive side of the scoresheet.

“What really pleased me is the way is the way the team wants to play together.
They’re disciplined in terms of working hard for each other from front to back.

The Junior Navy Blues are next in action on Sunday November 12 where they host Hamilton Wanderers at Kiwitea Street kick off at 4:30pm. 

Ends

Match Result

National Youth League

Saturday 4 November 2017

Auckland City FC 4 (Antonio Bonkovic 20’, Justin Bailey 34’, Sione Fa’apoi 53’, Dino Botica 90+2’)

Canterbury United 2 (Jacob Richards 76’)

HT: 2-0

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