Junior Navy Blues lead cut

Words: ACFC Media

Wednesday 21 November 2018

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Team Wellington are now just a point off the top of the National Youth League after they comfortably claimed three points over the weekend while leaders Auckland City FC were held to a second consecutive draw.

Waitakere United are third after joining Wellington in picking up a win while the Wellington Phoenix and Hamilton Wanderers also had victories to celebrate.

But the weekend belonged to Wellington, who went on the goal rampage to defeat Hawke’s Bay United 6-0. An own goal kicked off the scoring before Ryan Kelly, Jake Williams, Oliver Stanish, Lukas Halikias and Seth Ward all got on the scoresheet on a memorable afternoon for the hosts.

The massive win allowed Wellington to make up ground on Auckland City as the defending champions were held to a 2-2 draw by Canterbury United. The Junior Navy Blues looked on course for another win when a Thomas Drillien double put them two goals up with 20 minutes remaining but Canterbury then launched a stirring fightback, a pair of late goals from Jake Grove and Jacob Richards salvaging a point from their visit to the big smoke.

Also in Auckland, Waitakere remained in title contention by edging out Southern United 2-1 thanks to a late winner from Clarke Foulds. The visitors had taken the lead mid-way through the first half but Waitakere equalised with a Ryan Verney strike before going on to claim all three points.

Hamilton were not made to work as hard for their home win, accounting for Eastern Suburbs 5-1 to claim their first victory of the campaign. Owen Comber led the way with a first-half brace while Steffano Riley, Josh Clarkin and Will Stephen also found the net. Suburbs’ sole reply was provided by Tinashe Marowa late on. The result and margin of victory were both somewhat of a surprise as Wanderers previously had only one point to their name while Suburbs were yet to be beaten.

Tasman weren’t able to join Hamilton in earning their first win, falling 2-0 to the Phoenix at home after Oskar van Hattum hit a double.

The National Youth League returns with another full round this coming weekend, for the table and other information please click here

National Youth League Match Week Five Results

Tasman United 0
Wellington Phoenix 2 (Oskar van Hattum 25’, 90’)
HT: 0-1

Auckland City FC 2 (Thomas Drillien 25’, 70’)
Canterbury United 2 (Jake Grove 84’, Jacob Richards 90+1’)
HT: 1-0

Waitakere United 2 (Ryan Verney 33’, Clarke Foulds 85’)
Southern United 1 (Adam Hewson 22’)
HT: 1-1

Team Wellington 6 (Own goal 24’, Ryan Kelly pen 41’, Jake Williams 43’, Oliver Stanish 84’, Lukas Halikias 85’, Seth Ward 90+2’)
Hawke’s Bay United 0
HT: 3-0

Hamilton Wanderers 5 (Steffano Riley 9’, Josh Clarkin 10’, Owen Comber 18’, 29’, Will Stephen 49’)
Eastern Suburbs 1 (Tinashe Marowa 88’)
HT: 4-0