Double victory puts club at top
A double Auckland City FC victory over the weekend has left the club at the top of the ASB Premiership and the ASB National Youth League’s Northern Conference with both teams recording solid victories over WaiBOP United.
Ramon Tribulietx’s Navy Blues maintained their league lead with a 2-0 win at John Kerkhof Park on Saturday.
Just four minutes into the match, a goal line clearance from Alexis Varela prevented Daniel Koprivcic from putting the visitors in front.
A superb Andy McNeil save denied Angel Berlanga at point-blank range 15 minutes later but the goalkeeper and his colleagues were deceived by Emiliano Tade’s direct free-kick just before halftime.
The home team looked to come back early in the second spell, but Jack McNab’s penalty claims were dismissed.
Both Darren White and Ryan de Vries were denied by McNeil in the closing stages as the visitors finished strongly.
In stoppage time, White struck after another goal line clearance by Varela to secure the victory.
Auckland City will take on NZ Wanderers at North Harbour Stadium tonight and host Canterbury United in a top-of-the-table battle at Kiwitea St on Sunday.
Chris Zoricich’s Academy squad was also in fine form against WaiBOP’s ASB Youth League charges at Kiwitea St on Saturday, recording their second win in as many matches with a 3-1 triumph.
Tinashe Morawa and Moses Dyer had the home team two goals ahead inside the opening 15 minutes.
Stephen Ashby-Peckham extended City’s advantage to three goals before Adam Luque marked his return from injury by scoring WaiBOP’s consolation strike straight from the kick-off.
City’s youngsters take on secondplaced Auckland United on Sunday at the Croatian Cultural Society.