Young Navy Blues rally to grab a share of the points
AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC U23 produced another brilliant second half fightback to force a 2-2 draw with Western Springs AFC U23 in Round 12 of the Lotto NRFL U-23 Premiership Division on Saturday afternoon at Seddon Fields.
Despite falling two goals behind in the first half, the young Navy Blues worked hard and looked threatening all throughout the game and were perhaps a little unlucky not to walk away with maximum points.
The home side took full advantage of a couple of mistakes through Harry Pathak Adlard and Caspar McGavin to give Springs a two goal cushion at the break.
However the City youngsters have never panicked and remained confident they had what it takes to get back into the game.
Following a few half-time adjustments, Valerio Raccuglia’s charges looked dangerous and full of belief.
And they were rewarded in the 65th minute when substitute Sam Clegg pulled one back.
The rampant Navy Blues, who rattled the crossbar twice, looked to be running out of time but there was a late twist as Clegg was fouled inside the box allowing Stipe Ukich to step up and convert from the spot in the 90th minute, to the delight of their coach.
“To be honest the performance today was unreal, the boys worked really, really hard and it would have been unfair to come out of here with nothing, I actually think we deserved more,” said Raccuglia.
“This was a much better performance than last week’s effort when we won the game. I have no complaint, the boys played well, showed fighting spirit, but we are still in the learning phase and we will have to work on eliminating those errors which can punish us,” added the U23s coach.
The City youngsters will face Bay Olympic in Round 13 of the Lotto NRFL U-23 Premiership Division next Saturday.
Ends.
Match Result
Lotto NRFL U-23 Premier Division Round 12
Saturday, 3 June 2023
Seddon Fields, Westmere
Western Springs AFC U23 : 2 (Hari PATHAK ADLARD 21’, Caspar MCGAVIN 30’)
Auckland City FC U23: 2 (Samuel CLEGG 65’, Stipe UKICH 90’-pen)
HT: 2-0
AC: 18 Nicolas EVANS (GK) 4. Jesse GAGE (c), 6. Dylan WINSTANLEY, 7. Stipe UKICH, 10 Caleb MOOSBALLY, 12 Jeremy FOO, 14. Ryan REVILL, (15. Matthew Murayiro MATANYAYIRE 80’), 16. Petram HASSANIAN, (9. Samuel CLEGG 55’), 17. Oscar DUFFY, 20.Neo Noah ECKSTEIN, (8.Woodie WILSON 75’), 23. Takuya IWATA.
SUBS NOT USED : 1. Reon WERAHIKO( GK), 5. Jhon Nicholas RODRIGUEZ SOLER
COACH: Valerio RACCUGLIA
ASSISTANT COACH: Alfie ROGERS
TEAM MANAGER: Dinesh CHAND
NORTHERN LEAGUE R6
Saturday 20 April 2024, Kiwitea Street, 3pm
Player Profiles
Table
| Position | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | AC | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 3 | 15 |
| 2 |  | WS | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 12 |
| 3 |  | BU | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 5 | 9 |
| 4 |  | BO | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 6 | 9 |
| 5 |  | MN | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 5 | 7 |
| 6 |  | AU | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 6 |
| 7 |  | ES | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 6 |
| 8 |  | TC | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 11 | 3 |
| 9 |  | MU | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 16 | 3 |
| 10 |  | WR | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 2 |
| 11 |  | HW | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 12 | 1 |
| 12 |  | EB | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 0 |
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