Junior Navy Blues stumble in capital

Words: ACFC Media

Saturday 24 November 2018

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - The Junior Navy Blues stuttering momentum in the National Youth League continued after a 1-1 draw with Wellington Phoenix at Fraser Park today.

For the second week in a row the Camilo Speranza-coached side took the lead via a Thomas Drillien goal only for their opponents to bounce back with a timely equaliser.

Nathan Simes delivered the hammerblow on behalf of Steve Coleman's team to produce a result that leaves the top of the table in a nailbiting jostle for the title.

The Junior Navy Blues gave up a 2-0 advantage last week to draw 2-2 with Canterbury United Dragons and on top of the 0-0 Gridlock Derby draw with Eastern Suburbs now face a run-in that may demand they win all their remaining matches to be sure of defending their title.

There was a big chance at the end to snatch a late victory when Justin Bailey's cutback was slammed into the crossbar by skipper Joshua Jones before being cleared to safety.

Speranza said small details cost his side maximum points but it was important to remember the Junior Navy Blues destiny remains in their hands.

"We played a good match. Everyone made a huge effort, helping each other and pressing really high after losing the ball. First half we had two or three very good chances while the Wellington Phoenix only created some danger on the counter attack.

"Second half we kept dominating and Thomas scored a good goal after fine work in the build-up from James Green. After that the momentum remained much the same. We kept playing the game in their half of the pitch but we conceeded a goal in a counter attack action after an unlucky rebound.

"I'm happy we kept pushing and we had the clearest chance in the game right at the end to take the win. We've got a lot of things to work on but we're in control of our own destiny," he told www.aucklandcityfc.com.

Despite the third draw on the bounce, the Junior Navy Blues stay joint top of the league alongside Waitakere United with Team Wellington, Southern United, Eastern Suburbs and Canterbury United completing the chasing pack.

There are two matches tomorrow featuring three teams in that cluster with Canterbury United at home to Hamilton Wanderers and Eastern Suburbs facing Team Wellington in what may turn out to be a pivotal clash.

The Junior Navy Blues face Hamilton Wanderers away on December 1 before taking on Team Wellington at home on December 8. The final match of the season sees Camilo Speranza's team on the road when they head to Saxton Field to tackle Tasman United on 15 December.

Ends

Match Result
National Youth League
Saturday 24 November 2018
Wellington Phoenix 1 (Nathan SIMES 68')
Auckland City FC 1 (Thomas DRILLIEN 50')
HT: 0-0

AC: 1. Cameron BROWN (GK), 2. Nathan LOBO (22. Micaiah PAPA 88'), 3. Jackson WOODS, 4. Robert TIPELU, 7. Justin BAILEY, 8. Oscar SPRAGG, 9. Thomas DRILLIEN, 11. James GREEN, 13. Joshua JONES, 16. Mohammed SHAH (20. Laith AL-KALISY 84'), 21. Callum McNEILL.

SUBS NOT USED: 24. Gareth LEWIS (GK), 17. Matthew ELLIS, 25. Otto INGHAM.

COACH: Camilo SPERANZA.

Other results

Hawke's Bay United 2
Waitakere United 8

Southern United 3
Tasman United 2

Playing tomorrow
Sunday 25 November 2018

Canterbury United v Hamilton Wanderers
English Park, Christchurch, 11am NZST

Eastern Suburbs v Team Wellington
Michaels Avenue, Auckland, 1pm NZST

NATIONAL YOUTH LEAGUE TITLE RUN IN

AUCKLAND CITY FC - GAMES 6, POINTS 12, GOAL DIFFERENCE +7
01.12.18 v Hamilton Wanderers (A)
08.12.18 v Team Wellington (H)
15.12.18 v Tasman United (A)

WAITAKERE UNITED - GAMES 6, POINTS 12, GOAL DIFFERENCE +4
01.12.18 v Eastern Suburbs (H)
09.12.18 v Canterbury United (A)
16.12.18 v Hamilton Wanderers (H)

TEAM WELLINGTON - GAMES 5, POINTS 10, GOAL DIFFERENCE +9
25.12.18 v Eastern Suburbs (A)
02.12.18 v Canterbury United (H)
08.12.18 v Auckland City FC (A)
14.12.18 v Wellington Phoenix (H)

SOUTHERN UNITED - GAMES 6, POINTS 9, GOAL DIFFERENCE -1
01.12.18 v Wellington Phoenix (A)
08.12.18 v Hawke's Bay United (A)
15.12.18 v Canterbury United (H)

CANTERBURY UNITED - GAMES 5, POINTS 8, GOAL DIFFERENCE +5
25.11.18 v Hamilton Wanderers (H)
02.12.18 v Team Wellington (A)
09.12.18 v Waitakere United (H)
15.12.18 v Southern United (A)

EASTERN SUBURBS - GAMES 5, POINTS 8, GOAL DIFFERENCE 0
25.11.18 v Team Wellington (H)
01.12.18 v Waitakere United (A)
08.12.18 v Tasman United (H)
15.12.18 v Hawke's Bay United (A)

WELLINGTON PHOENIX - GAMES 6, POINTS 7, GOAL DIFFERENCE 0
01.12.18 v Southern United (H)
08.12.18 v Hawke's Bay United (A)
14.12.18 v Team Wellington (A)