Auckland City have opened up a 12-point lead in the Northern League after beating Eastern Suburbs 2-1 under lights at the Croatian Cultural Club.
The game was played midweek to help Auckland City alleviate pressure on their fixture schedule, caused by their participation in August’s OFC Champions League.
City got off to a flying start when All White Cam Howieson gave City the lead in the 6th minute.
Adam Mitchell provided the perfect pass into the path of Howieson who hammered the ball high into the net past Suburbs ‘keeper Joseph Knowles.
Main photo: Cam Howieson … opened the scoring for City. File image: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.
7’ | 1-0
GOAL!!! @CameronHowieson
Fantastic diagonal pass by Adam Mitchell picks out Howieson who lashes the ball beyond Joseph Knowles #StrengthInUnity #ACvES pic.twitter.com/dzW201zIub
— Auckland City FC (@AucklandCity_FC) June 29, 2022
Six minutes later, City made it 2-0 when Joe Lee created an easy chance for Angus Kilkolly whose 10th goal of the season takes him level with Hamilton Wanderers’ Derek Tieku at the top of the division’s Golden Boot table.
13’ | 2-0
GOAL!!! @AngusKilkolly16
Joe Lee makes a smart interception and releases a counter attack down the left with Kilkolly on hand to tap the ball home #StrengthInUnity #ACvES pic.twitter.com/L87njoBglH
— Auckland City FC (@AucklandCity_FC) June 29, 2022
Knowles made a couple of excellent saves to keep City’s half-time lead restricted to 2-0.
With rain falling, City started the second spell the stronger but Suburbs gradually worked their way into the game.
The Lilywhites got their reward when Aaryan Raj scored in the 72nd minute with a well-taken header at the far post.
77’ | 2-1
GOAL!!!, Aaryan Raj
Rutherford winds over a handy cross and it’s thundered into the net – game on now#StrengthInUnity #ACvES pic.twitter.com/qISor4qVF3
— Auckland City FC (@AucklandCity_FC) June 29, 2022
Suburbs piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser but it wouldn’t come.
With three minutes to go, Suburbs coach Hoani Edwards was shown a red card.
In added time, Suburbs’ appeals for a penalty were waved away and to the relief of the home supporters, the game ended with three more points for City — a side that has now taken 43 from a possible 45 points this season.
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Result
Game played Wednesday June 29, 2022
Auckland City 2 (Cam Howieson 6′, Angus Kilkolly 12′)
Eastern Suburbs 1 (Aaryan Raj 72′)
Standings
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