AUCKLAND, New Zealand - A youthful Auckland City FC bowed out of the Delivereasy Chatham Cup after a late winner by Waiheke United substitute hero Felix Timmins-Scanlon.
15 June 2025
The young Navy Blues opened the scoring when Ryan Ellis struck after just four minutes amid hectic scenes at Kiwitea Street created by the large, colourful travelling United fan-base.
That joy was cancelled when Federico Cabanal levelled just prior to halftime before Timmins-Scanlon sent the visiting support into raptures.
Ellis, brother of Matt Ellis who is in the USA for the FIFA Club World Cup, made his debut for the club in the 0-1 Northern League defeat to Western Springs back in April.
It was a brave performance by City’s youngsters with 13 players making their first team debuts with only Ellis, Paris Domfeh and goalkeeper Areya Prasad having achieved first team status prior.
Coach Martin Brandon, who stepped up from his role as assistant coach of the U-23, was pleased and proud, despite the defeat.
“It was a very positive experience for the boys. It was a step up for everyone of one of them.
“They dealt with the added physicality of playing men and they were in the match right to the very, very end.
“It was a great atmosphere and great for New Zealand football and it was a credit to Waiheke United.
“The Auckland City supporters did us proud as well which we are very grateful of.
“It hurts to lose it in the dying minutes and with the chance we had to come back but the players have to hold their heads up high.
“They can be very proud of how they played but they just didn’t quite have enough today.”
Auckland City FC’s next match is with Bayern Munich in Cincinnati, USA, at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Ends
Match Result
Delivereasy Chatham Cup Round 3
Saturday 14 June 2025
Auckland City FC 1 (Ryan ELLIS 4′)
Waiheke United 2 (Federico CABANAL 39′, Felix TIMMINS-SCANLON 87′)
HT: 1-1.
AC: 24. Areya PRASAD (GK), 2. Niko TARAWA (C), 4. Maraj SINGH, 5. Mason SHAW (10. Kane WINSTANLEY 65′), 6. Paris DOMFEH, 7. Ryan ELLIS, 9. Santino ESCOLME (21. Cayden STEFFENER 65′), 11. Carlos STULICH, 12. Niko CLARE, 15. Kaio MARTINEZ (13. Sebastien HARRIS 81′), 17. Samuel FAGAN.
SUBSTITUTES NOT USED: 18. Reon WERAHIKO (GK), 8. Bond TRAN.
COACH: Martin BRANDON
ASSISTANT COACH: Videesha PAHALU
ASSISTANT COACH: Zoheb KHAN
MANAGER: Dinesh CHAND
