AUCKLAND, NZ - Auckland City were seconds from claiming the Dominion Derby when a defensive lapse deep into stoppage time allowed Auckland United to snatch a 1–1 draw at Kiwitea Street — a finish that left goalscorer Adam Mitchell admitting it “feels like we’ve lost three points today.”
6 June 2026
The Navy Blues had controlled much of a tense, weather‑shifting first half, dictating territory and possession while United sat deep and countered in brief, cautious bursts. City carved out the clearer openings, the best arriving in added time when Nikko Boxall met a Jeremy Foo cross, only for United keeper Ngereine Maro to claw the header away.
The second half opened more evenly, but the breakthrough came with authority. In the 71st minute Gerard Garriga delivered a teasing ball from the right and Mitchell rose to meet it, powering a header into the far corner for his first goal of the season. “It was a good ball in from Gigi — I made the run and got a good hit on it,” Mitchell said. “It would’ve been nice if it was the winner.”
City pushed for a second, with Dylan Manickum flashing a strike into the side netting and Maro scrambling after a long ball from Nathan Garrow bounced over his head. But the match’s final act belonged to United.
Seven minutes into stoppage time, a routine defensive moment unravelled. A loose touch, a hesitation, and suddenly Benjamin Wallace was rolling the simplest of finishes into an unguarded net. “We defended well for most of the game — it was just unfortunate at the end,” Mitchell reflected. “We’ve got to move on, look at the positives and put things right next week.”
The late sting overshadowed what had been one of City’s more controlled derby performances — and capped a frustrating day for the club across both fixtures.
Earlier at the Croatian Club, the U23s fell 3–1 to Auckland United U23, with Manraj Singh the only player on target for the Young Navy Blues.
A derby day that promised six points ended with just one — and a reminder that in this rivalry, nothing is ever settled until the final whistle.
Ends
Northern League R13
Saturday, 6 June
Kiwitea St
Auckland City FC: 1 (Adam MITCHELL 71’)
Auckland United FC : 1 (Benjamin Wallace 90+7)
HT: 0-0
AC: 1. Nathan GARROW (GK) 2. Mario ILICH (C) 3. Adam MITCHELL, 4.Nikko BOXALL, 5. Nathan ROSTRON 7. Michal DOUDERA (11. Ryan De VRIES 84’) 8. Gerard GARRIGA 9. Angus KILKOLLY (17. (Bono KACUROV 64’) 10. Dylan MANICKUM (27. Tom GOLDING 90+5’) 15. Jeremy FOO, 13. Shaan ANAND 64′) 21. Adam Kanui BELL
SUBS NOT USED: 18. Seba CIGANDA (GK) (
HEAD COACH: Rudy MOZR
ASSISTANT COACH: Ivan VICELICH
ASSISTANT COACH: Alan SHAKER
GOALKEEPER COACH: Adam BANNISTER
TRAINER: Karlo PAVIC
PHYSIO: Matt PAYNE
TEAM MANAGER: Keith COTON
