Navy Blues Advance in the Cup

First‑half momentum swings

The Navy Blues began with purpose, pushing Bays back through the width of Shaan Anand and the direct running of Michal Doudera. The pressure told midway through the half when Doudera delivered a superb corner and Nathan Rostron rose highest to guide home the opener.

East Coast Bays responded well and found their equaliser through Guy Frank Essome‑Penda, whose sharp finish pulled the visitors level and shifted the rhythm of the contest heading into the break.

Captain Mario Ilich said the group felt they “played some good football in the first half and could’ve been a couple up,” but acknowledged the timing of the equaliser was frustrating. “We were disappointed to concede just before the break,” he said. “But credit to them — they stayed in the game right to the very end.”

Mitchell delivers the decisive moment

The second half unfolded with the tension typical of Chatham Cup football. The home side pushed to regain control, with Doudera again influential and Lewis Caunter forced into another strong save.

The breakthrough arrived in the 65th minute. Rostron’s cross found Ilich, whose header crashed off the crossbar before Adam Mitchell reacted quickest to bury the rebound and restore the Navy Blues’ lead.

Ilich praised the team’s response after halftime: “We pinched one in the second half and held on. It was enough today.”

Managing the finish

East Coast Bays pressed late, but the Navy Blues defended with discipline. Nathan Garrow handled the aerial pressure cleanly, the midfield tightened its grip, and the Navy Blues managed the final stages with composure — substitutions, corner‑flag control, and smart game management sealing the result.

Into the next round

It wasn’t always fluent, but it was enough. Goals from Rostron and Mitchell ensured Auckland City FC advanced, showing resilience and experience in a Cup tie that demanded both.

For Ilich, the focus now shifts quickly: “We’re happy to be through in the Cup, and now the focus moves to next week — another big Northern League fixture against Birkenhead.”

Chatham Cup R3
Saturday, 13 June
Kiwitea St
Auckland City  FC: 2 (Nathan ROSTRON 24’ Adam MITCHELL 65’)
East Coast Bays : 1 (Guy Frank ESSOME-PENDA 35’)

HT: 1-1

AC: 1. Nathan GARROW (GK) 2. Mario ILICH (C) 3. Adam MITCHELL, 5. Nathan ROSTRON 7. Michal DOUDERA, (27. Tom GOLDING 90+1’) 8. Gerard GARRIGA, 10. Dylan MANICKUM 11. Ryan De VRIES (17. Bono KACUROV 75’), 13. Shaan ANAND (6. Kieran RICHARDS 85’), 15. Jeremy FOO (21. Adam BELL 85’), 19 Dylan CONNOLY

SUBS NOT USED: 18. Seba CIGANDA (GK)

Ends

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