City reach Chatham Cup quarterfinals

Words: ACFC Media

Saturday 6 July 2024

CAMBRIDGE, New Zealand - Auckland City FC have defeated Cambridge FC 4-1 to claim a place in the last eight of New Zealand Football’s premier cup competition at John Kerkhof Park on Saturday afternoon.

Gerard Garriga, Christian Gray, Angus Kilkolly and Regont Murati scored for the Navy Blues while Joshua Clarkin netted for the home side in front of a large and boisterous crowd on a sunny day at the Waikato.

The visitors had plenty of possession in the opening thirty minutes but were unable to create meaningful chances against a well organised Cambridge defence with five at the back.

Garriga, who grabbed a brace against Manurewa on Wednesday night, provided the breakthrough with a right-footed attempt from the left corner of the 18-yard box in the 35th minute.

However, the home side were back on level terms just minutes later following a good run and an equally confident left-footed finish courtesy of Clarkin.

At the end of an evenly contested first half Gray headed home from a corner to silence the home fans and give his side a narrow advantage going into the break.

Kilkolly was introduced at the start of the second half and the experienced striker made an immediate impact with a cool finish in the 53rd minute.

After establishing a two-goal cushion the visitors have taken a firm control of proceedings with Ryan De Vries coming agonisingly close to add another.

At the end Regont Murati put the result beyond any doubt thanks to volley from inside the box with just ten minutes left on the clock.

Ends

MATCH DETAILS
Chatham Cup R4
Saturday, 6 July 2024
Cambridge FC: 1 (Joshua CLARKIN 38’)
Auckland City FC 4 : (Gerard GARRIGA 35' Christian GRAY 45' Angus KILKOLLY 53' Regont MURATI 80’)

HT: 1-2

AC: 1.Conor TRACEY (GK), 2. Mario ILICH (C), (Rayan TAYEB 81’), 4. Christian GRAY, 6. Kailan GOULD, (16. Joe Lee 61’), 8. Gerard GARRIGA, 10. Dylan MANICKUM, (9. Angus KILKOLLY 46’), 12. Regont MURATI, 13. Nathan LOBO, 20. Derek TIEKU, ( (11. Ryan DE VRIES 61’), Adam BELL, 23. Alfie ROGERS

SUBS NOT USED: 18. Areya PRASAD (GK),

COACH: Albert RIERA
ASSISTANT COACH: Ivan VICELICH
GK COACH: Enaut ZUBIKARAI
TECHNICAL: Adria CASALS
LOGISTICS: Keith COTTON
PHYSIO: Matt PAYNE