U-23 notch up their fourth win in a row

Words: ACFC Media

Sunday 21 April 2024

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC U23 have moved into the top three on the Lotto NRFL Premiership table following a dominant 4-1 victory over their Melville rivals in Saturday’s Round 6 clash of the competition.

In a wet afternoon at the Croatian Cultural Club the Navy Blues youngsters have displayed plenty of attacking intent from the outset only to be denied by the woodwork on three occasions inside the opening 15 minutes.

Jesse Burge looked dangerous hitting the crossbar with a long range attempt before both himself and Nabil Begg coming close to scoring with the post saving the visitors.

However City’s dominance paid dividends in the 19th minute with Burge finding the net from inside the box.

Caleb Moosbally almost doubled the advantage with a superbly taken free-kick which crashed again the crossbar while Melville keeper Nathan Marlowe produced an acrobatic save to keep his side in the contest.

Despite all their dominance the Navy Blues couldn’t add to their lead before the break prompting head coach Valerio Raccuglia to stress the importance of being more clinical in front of goal during his half-time speech.

And his charges responded as Moosbally gave City some much needed breathing space after the restart.

An own-goal by Charlie Holloway made it 3-nil in the 61st minute before the visitors pulled one back seven minutes later with Vicente Mendez-Rea converting from the penalty spot.

With less then ten minutes on the clock Ryan Revill sealed the win to secure the Navy Blues fourth win in a row.

In other results, league leaders Auckland United maintained their perfect record with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Eastern Suburbs, while second placed Bay Olympic defeated Manurewa 2-0 in South Auckland.

Western Springs proved far too strong for the Hamilton Wanderers brushing them aside 6-1 in the Waikato and the West Coast Rangers edged past Tauranga City 4-3 on the road.

Elsewhere, Birkenhead recorded a 3-1 victory against East Coast Bays.

The Young Navy Blues, who have played a game less than the two teams above them, sit in third place with four wins from their five matches.

Next week, Auckland City FC U-23 host Western Springs U-23 at the Croatian Cultural Club on Saturday 27 April with kick-off at 12.00 pm.

Ends

Match Result
Lotto NRFL U-23 Premiership Rd6
Saturday 20 April 2024
Auckland City FC U-23: 4 (Jesse BURGE 19' Caleb MOOSBALLY 51' Charlie HOLLOWAY 61' (OG) Ryan REVILL 82’
Melville Utd AFC U23: 1 (Vicente MENDEZ-REA 68’)

HT: 1-0

AC: 18. Reon WERAHIKO GK, (1. Areya PRASAD 70’), 2. Freddie GIBBINS, (3. Max BREINGAN, 70’) 4. Jesse GAGE (c), 6. Timothy BOULET, 7. Nabil BEGG, (12 Jeremy FOO 60’), 8. Tainui ADAMS, (9. Gato NYIRASABIMANA 70’), 9. Jesse BURGE, 10. Caleb MOOSBALLY, 11. Ryan REVILL, 15. Luka VICELICH, 16. Cayden STEFFENER, (19. Gabriel PEREIRA CASTELO 60’)

SUBS NOT USED:

COACH: Valerio RACCUGLIA
ASSISTANT COACH: Ivan VICELICH
ASSISTANT COACH: Archie DIAS
TEAM MANAGER: Dinesh CHAND