AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Auckland City FC fought back in style to secure a 2-1 comeback victory over Fencibles United on Saturday night at Riverhills Park, reclaiming a spot in the Northern League's top two.
27 April 2025
The Navy Blues' Angus Kilkolly was the hero of the night, involved in both second-half goals that overturned a deficit against the spirited newcomers.
Kilkolly, a livewire throughout, forced Fencibles goalkeeper Nicholas Burke into two early saves as City signalled their attacking intent. The visitors saw David Yoo’s thunderous long-range effort narrowly clear the bar and Haris Zeb’s curling strike miss the mark.
But Fencibles threatened on the counter, with Russell Currie testing City's Conor Tracey in a tense one-on-one—Tracey responding brilliantly to keep the scores level heading into the break.
The hosts opened the scoring early in the second half as Aston Burns finished a swift counter-attack, igniting celebrations among the home crowd. Auckland City responded decisively as head coach Paul Posa made a triple substitution, introducing Matt Ellis, Joe Lee, and Jerson Lagos to inject more attacking impetus.
The fresh legs reenergised the visitors to level the scores in the 74th minute when Yoo combined with Adam Mitchell to tee up Kilkolly, whose strike deflected off Fencible's Jay Grubjesic for the equaliser.
Six minutes later, Kilkolly delivered the decisive blow. Lagos provided the assist, and Kilkolly dispatched a clinical finish to seal the Navy Blues' comeback. The win brought Auckland City level on points with league leaders Tauranga City, who edged Birkenhead United 1-0 earlier in the day.
Elsewhere in the league, Eastern Suburbs stumbled to a 4-1 home defeat to bottom-placed Manurewa, Bay Olympic fell 3-0 to Western Springs, Auckland United drew 1-1 with East Coast Bays, and Auckland FC Reserves were edged 2-1 by West Coast Rangers.
Next up for Auckland City FC is a clash with Auckland FC Reserves on Saturday, May 3, at Kiwitea Street, with kickoff at 3 PM. The Navy Blues will look to keep their momentum rolling as they aim to maintain their push for the league summit.
Ends
Match Result
Northern League R7
Saturday, 26 April Riverhills Park
Fencibles United: 1 (Aston BURNS 51’)
Auckland City FC: 2 (Jaymis GRUBJESIC (OG) 74, Angus KILKOLLY 80’)
HT: 0-0
AC: 1. Conor TRACEY (GK), 2. Mario ILICH (C) 3. Adam MITCHELL (C), 5. Nikko BOXALL, 8. Gerard GARRIGA, (30. Jackson MANUEL 82') 9. Angus KILKOLLY, 13. Nathan LOBO, 15. Jeremy FOO, (16. Joe LEE 64’), 21. Adam BELL, (17. Jerson LAGOS 64’), 26. David YOO, 27. Haris ZEB, (19. Matt ELLIS 64’)
SUBS NOT USED: 24. Nathan GARROW (GK)
HEAD COACH: Paul POSA
ASSISTANT COACH: Ivan VICELICH
ASSISTANT COACH: Adria CASALS
GK COACH: Jonas HOFFMANN
TEAM MANAGER: Keith COTON
PHYSIOTHERAPIST: Matt PAYNE
