Western Springs captain Reid Drake featured as a trialist in Auckland FC’s latest pre-season match, a 1-0 win against Northern League side East Coast Bays.
Drake (28) was listed as a trialist for the new A-League club and came off the bench to play the last half hour in the match at Fred Taylor Park, Whenuapai.
The midfielder is an experienced Northern League player, having played for Eastern Suburbs and Auckland City before joining Western Springs for the 2023 season.
Main photo: Reid Drake … came off the bench as a second-half sub. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.
New Zealand age group international James Bulkeley (19) was listed as a trialist for a second time, having been similarly included in the Auckland FC squad that drew 2-2 with Auckland United in the pre-season friendly on July 31.
A defender, Bulkeley is currently signed to Fleetwood United, in the United Arab Emirates.
In their first game, Auckland FC named four players as trialists.
READ MORE; Four trialists appear in Auckland FC’s first pre-season friendly >>>>
Auckland FC head coach Steve Corica told the club’s social media channel he thought his side’s performance was an improvement on the previous week’s outing.
“With the ball we were very good but I was more pleased with the defensive side of things, but saying that, we probably should have scored a few more goals.
“We created some good chances and we should won by more, but it’s very pleasing.”
Corica also revealed his squad would play their next pre-season friendlies against A-League opposition in Sydney.
He said the squad would train, get fitter and benefit from a trip to Australia for the warm-up games.
This story was first published on August 8, 2024.
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