Navy Blues Claim Deserved Victory

The Navy Blues dominated the first half, creating numerous opportunities to break the deadlock. Jeremy Foo tested Olympic goalkeeper Jackson Gardner early, followed by long-range efforts from Joe Lee and a powerful strike by Angus Kilkolly, both kept out by Gardner's resolute shot-stopping.

The Navy Blues were relentless, with Kilkolly coming close again on multiple occasions, including a header from Michael Den Heijer’s cross and a volley from Alfie Rogers’ delivery.

Rogers almost gave Auckland City the lead with a thunderous strike that rattled the post, while Jordan Vale’s quick reaction to the rebound was denied by heroic Olympic defending.

As the first half wound down, Jerson Lagos had the final chance, his effort narrowly missing the mark.

Bay Olympic’s counter-attacking approach yielded limited opportunities, their best falling to former Auckland City striker Derek Tieku. However, Nathan Garrow’s assured goalkeeping preserved the Navy Blues' clean sheet.

Reflecting on the opening half, captain Adam Mitchell acknowledged the team’s strong performance despite not finding the net early on. “I thought overall it was a good performance. We created a lot of chances, and at the end of the day, a win’s a win—it was tough and hard-fought.”

The breakthrough arrived early in the second half when Adam Bell's surging run down the right flank set up Jordan Vale. Vale’s header cannoned off the crossbar and rebounded into the net.

Auckland City maintained their intensity, with Joe Lee narrowly missing the target, Kilkolly forcing another save, and Mitchell himself heading just over from a corner.

Mitchell reflected on the decisive moments, saying, “Some days they go in, and some days they don’t. But look, it’s good that we’re creating chances. We were solid at the back with the clean sheet as well. Great defending and goalkeeping kept us in it, ultimately securing the win.”

With squad rotation a key focus during a busy Easter weekend, Mitchell was quick to highlight the depth within the team. “I keep reiterating that we’ve got such a strong squad here at Auckland City. Every player can do a job, and that showed today. A lot of players who haven’t had many minutes recently performed well.”

Ends

Match Result
Northern League R6 
Monday, 21 April Kiwitea St
Auckland City FC : 1  (Jordan Vale 49’)
Bay Olympic FC 0

HT: 0-0 

AC:  24. Nathan GARROW  (GK), 3. Adam MITCHELL (C), 9. Angus KILKOLLY, (12. Regont MURATI 70’), 14. Jordan VALE, 16. Joe LEE, 17. Jerson LAGOS, (6. Kailan GOULD 58’), 21. Adam BELL, (28. Otto INGHAM 81’), 23. Alfie ROGERS, 25. Michael DEN HEIJER, (20. Kentaro OZAKI 70’),  29. Jeremy FOO, 30. Jackson MANUEL

SUBS NOT USED:  1. Conor TRACEY (GK),

HEAD COACH: Paul POSA
ASSISTANT COACH: Ivan VICELICH
ASSISTANT COACH: Adria CASALS
GK COACH: Jonas HOFFMANN
TEAM MANAGER: Keith COTON
PHYSIOTHERAPIST: Matt PAYNE