City Secure Derby Bragging Rights

AUCKLAND, New Zealand – National League frontrunners Auckland City FC cemented their dominance with a commanding 3-0 victory over Eastern Suburbs in their Round 5 encounter at Madills Farm on Sunday afternoon.

Second-half goals from Myer Bevan, skipper Mario Ilich, and Angus Kilkolly proved decisive in Sunday’s Gridlock Derby. 

City’s teenage striker Stipe Ukich had an early chance but sent his shot over the crossbar, while Suburbs captain Jake Mechell had two promising opportunities on the counterattack. 

He narrowly missed connecting with a through ball from Addison Stewart and later blasted over Conor Tracey’s bar.

Midway through the half, the visitors sought to gain momentum by controlling possession. 

The Lilywhites remained dangerous on the counter, with Mechell coming closest to breaking the deadlock, flashing just wide of Tracey’s left post. 

Vadym Patkevych was called into action, producing a couple of saves as the visitors ended the opening half stronger. The teams returned to their dressing rooms with the score still 0-0.

City’s Jerson Lagos put the ball over the crossbar, and both Dylan Manickum and Ukich looked threatening with City showing urgency and intent after the restart. 

The sustained pressure from City paid off in the 73rd minute when Gerard Garriga set up Bevan, who kept his composure to beat Patkevych with a clinical close-range finish.

Skipper Mario Ilich made it 2-0 in the 79th minute, and Angus Kilkolly nearly added a third with a well-struck half volley, forcing a good save. 

However, Kilkolly couldn’t be denied in injury time, lobbing over the Lilywhites keeper to seal the win for his side.

Elsewhere,  Wellington Olympic defeated Western Suburbs 3-2, Cashmere Technical and Coastal Spirit shared the points following a 3-3 draw, Western Suburbs remain anchored to the bottom of the bale following a 4-2 home loss to  Napier City Rovers while Birkenhead overcame Phoenix Reserves 4-2.

Auckland City FC stay three points clear of Birkenhead United at the top of the competition table, while Coastal Spirit, Napier City Rovers, and Wellington Olympic are equal third a further two points back at the end of Round 5.

In the next round, Albert Riera’s men will host Western Springs at Kiwitea on Sunday, November 3.

MATCH DETAILS National League R5 Madills FarmEastern Suburbs AFC: 0 Auckland City FC:  3  (Myer BEVAN 73’ Mario ILICH 79’,  Angus KILKOLLY 90+5’)

HT: 0-0

AC: 1. Conor TRACEY, 2. Mario ILICH  (CP),  3. Adam MITCHELL, 7. Myer BEVAN, (5. Marco LORENZ 87’),  8.Gerard GARRIGA,10. Dylan MANICKUM, 13. Nathan LOBO, 14. Kentaro OZAKI,  (9. Angus KILKOLLY 78’) 17. Jerson LAGOS, 25.Michael DEN HEIJER, 27. Stipe UKICH (16. Joe LEE 69’)

SUBS NOT USED: 24. Nathan GARROW GK, 22. Tong ZHOU

COACH: Albert RIERAASSISTANT COACH: Ivan VICELICHGK COACH: Enaut ZUBIKARAITECHNICAL: Adria CASALSLOGISTICS: Keith COTONPHYSIO: Matt PAYNE