City forced to settle for draw with Springs
Words: ACFC Mediq
Saturday 20 July 2024
AUCKLAND, New Zealand – Under the watchful gaze of a full moon, on a chilly winter night at Seddon Fields, Auckland City FC and Western Springs have settled for a share of the points after a gripping Northern League encounter.
Auckland City, fresh from their midweek battle against second-placed Birkenhead, sought to extend their lead at the top.
Meanwhile, Western Springs, sitting in third on the competition ladder, aimed to upset the apple cart.
Following an intense and testing opening with no clear cut chances the game came into life midway through the half as Jerson Lagos, City’s fleet-footed winger, burst down the flank before his shot crashing into the right side of the net.
But the visiting fans didn’t have to wait too long to celebrate as minutes later Kailan Gould showcased his left-footed magic, unleashing a beautifully struck shot from outside the box that nestled into the bottom corner.
Emiliano Tade, an Auckland City icon, now donning Springs’ colours, nearly equalised with a wicked free-kick that grazed the upright.
But it was Dawson Straffon’s wayward blast over the crossbar that allowed City to breathe a sigh of relief as the half time whistle blew.
In the second half Auckland City pressed for a decisive second goal but Regan Diver, acrobatic and defiant, denied them with a superb save from a Dylan Manickum attempt from close range.
Springs, rejuvenated, found their breakthrough in the 81st minute. Caspar McGavin pounced on a ball in the box, tapping it past City’s keeper Conor Tracy.
As the clock ticked down, Springs surged forward but Tracy remained alert to thwart Springs’ last-ditch effort with a crucial save to ensure the points would be shared.
Ends
MATCH DETAILS
Northern League, Saturday 20 July 2024
Western Springs AFC: 1 (Caspar MCGAVIN 81)’
Auckland City FC: 1 (Kailan GOULD 36’)
HT: 0-1
AC: 1.Conor TRACEY (GK), 4. Christian GRAY, 5. Marco LORENZ, 6. Kailan GOULD, (16. Joe LEE 79’), 8. Gerard GARRIGA, (Tong ZHOU 45+1), 10. Dylan MANICKUM, (9. Angus KILKOLLY 79’), 11. Ryan DE VRIES, (20. Derek TIEKU 69’), 13. Nathan LOBO, 17. Jerson LAGOS, 23. Alfie ROGERS (C), 25. Michael DEN HEIJER (12. Regont MURATI 79’)
SUBS NOT USED:
COACH: Albert RIERA
ASSISTANT COACH: Ivan VICELICH
GK COACH: Enaut ZUBIKARAI
TECHNICAL: Adria CASALS
LOGISTICS: Keith COTTON
PHYSIO: Matt PAYNE
FIFA INTERCONTINENTAL CUP
22 September 2024, v Al Ain, UAE, kick-off: 7.30pm local
Player Profiles
Table
| Position | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | AC | 22 | 16 | 3 | 3 | 53 | 21 | 51 |
| 2 |  | WS | 22 | 14 | 4 | 4 | 52 | 30 | 46 |
| 3 |  | ES | 22 | 14 | 2 | 6 | 38 | 20 | 44 |
| 4 |  | BU | 22 | 13 | 4 | 5 | 54 | 31 | 43 |
| 5 |  | AU | 22 | 12 | 4 | 6 | 39 | 27 | 40 |
| 6 |  | BO | 22 | 9 | 1 | 12 | 39 | 42 | 28 |
| 7 |  | TC | 22 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 38 | 56 | 25 |
| 8 |  | WR | 22 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 28 | 45 | 23 |
| 9 |  | EB | 22 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 29 | 38 | 22 |
| 10 |  | MN | 22 | 5 | 4 | 13 | 41 | 56 | 19 |
| 11 |  | MU | 22 | 6 | 0 | 16 | 29 | 54 | 18 |
| 12 |  | HW | 22 | 2 | 8 | 12 | 28 | 48 | 14 |
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