Birkenhead United vs Western Suburbs

When you’ve been dealt a humbling defeat, you want that next game to roll around as soon as possible. Birkenhead United were alright against Auckland City but alright wasn’t enough in a 3-1 loss. Western Suburbs were a long way from alright in their 4-0 loss against Cashmere Technical. Both of these sides forged reputations during the winter for scoring mass quantities of goals but also conceding quite a few (at least compared to the other National League qualifiers). Attacking potency plus defensive frailty plus result retaliation was sure to add up to an entertaining game of football and Shepherd’s Park on Auckland’s North Shore was looking an utter treat for the occasion... apart from the torrential rain.

This was a rematch of the 2018 Chatham Cup final, though neither team has much left in common with the squad they had back then. There was even some rotation between this week and last. Birkenhead United brought back usual number one keeper Silvio Rodic to stand between the sticks. Cameron Lindsay also helped stock the back three after skipping last week while Ardri MacArthur’s prize for scoring against Auckland City was a starting spot in the midfield. Dylan Connolly (RWB) and Troy Putt (CF) were also elevated from the bench to the eleven, while star forward Monty Patterson was healthy enough to sit amongst the subs. On the other side, Western Suburbs only made one alteration: captain Harry Faultley jumping in at right wing-back. Although apparently goalie Quillan Roberts has been called up for Guyana’s Concacaf Nations League games against Guatemala and Suriname so he’ll probably miss at least the next match, possibly two. Pretty cool to have a current non-NZ international in the competition.

The ball movement from Wests was delightful and it was ex-Birko attacker Cam Mackenzie who was at the heart of a lot of that sexy one-touch stuff. Only problem was there wasn’t that much of it, probably because Birko made sure to set a committed tone from the get-go by conceding several early free kicks. Dino Botica made a couple of brave blocks to further that tone. With very similar formations, there was an element of these two sides cancelling each other out... and then Connor Wilson scored out of nothing. Clever little reverse pass into the area by Lucas Meek and Birko didn’t pick up the run. Wilson rounded Rodic and then the Canadian hit that empty net in the 21st minute.

The rain began bucketing down as the game restarted, sending spectators scattering, and if they weren’t holding umbrellas, they’d have had their heads in their hands as Birkenhead missed four huge chances all in a row. Putt’s dribbling was causing things to happen and he smacked a good low shot on target that Roberts could only parry. Daniel Bunch was on it in a flash but struck it straight back at Roberts who saved again. The next phase ended in a cross which Connolly somehow headed over with most of the goal to aim for. Then a poor pass from Roberts landed at the feet of Curtis Hughes who took a pop from 25 metres. Wonderful strike except it thumped into the underside of the crossbar. Those moments became even starker when Bunch lost the ball tracking back and Mackenzie flipped it to Harry Fautley angling an inside run and he slammed it home for 2-0.

Birkenhead went looking for the instant retaliation and almost got it when Roberts fumbled a low Bunch cross – nothing’s easy for the goalies in that kinda weather – but then made a huge recovery stop to deny Connolly. Lucky for Birko that Wilson was offside as he swept another one into the net and, for a split second, threw his arms up in celebration before hearing the whistle. Unlucky for Birko that Everton O’Leary pulled up sore after 38 mins and would have to be replaced by Haris Zeb. Hughes made a mess of a chance late in the half which was unnecessarily chipped into the area for him and he misjudged the spin before whipping it over the top. Birkenhead had every right to feel like they were on top of this match yet they hit the sheds trailling 2-0.

The break must have switched those fortunes though because after Birko kept almost scoring and then getting punished in the first half, the second spell flipped the script with a Seb Barton-Ginger cross striking Botica’s thigh and then deflecting onto his own post, then SBG lashing a shot into the side-netting. Within two minutes of Wests almost-but-not-quite getting a third goal, Curtis Hughes hauled Birkenhead back within range by dashing onto a Troy Putt switch and allowing his pace to make all the difference for 2-1.

That was the encouragement that the home side needed. Now the energy was at a maximum and they were the team shifting the ball swiftly and trying to spark things. Wests also happened to have a back three capable of matching the power of the Birko trio which suited the script-flip even more. It was hectic stuff so Birkenhead did what they needed to do: they subbed on Monty Patterson... and within three minutes of stepping onto the pitch, ol’ Monty had made it 2-2 with cheeky tap-in. The move began with a direct free kick that Patterson smashed into the wall and then his follow-up attempt was easily blocked. But the tackiness of that bit of play was forgotten as he stayed with the action, with a great bit of movement to get to where Cam Lindsay’s low cross wanted to go.

That goal initiated a ten minute spell of chaos. Madness ensued as Western Suburbs, who’d hardly crossed halfway since conceding, went and retook the lead on 75’ when Lucas Meek drew two defenders towards the sideline then snuck the ball between them for substitute Malcolm Young to thrash a shot past Rodic. Back up the other end, Connolly forced a good save and Haris Zeb was fouled trying to get onto the rebound. Ardri MacArthur rushed up to take the penalty but not only did Quillan Roberts save it, he also saved the follow-up as well. That’s why the Guyanans love him.

Not that there was anything he could do when Leon van den Hoven and Monty Patterson played an elaborate one-two with LVDH taking his run into the area to flip in another equaliser. That still left ten more minutes for either side to find a winner and in this game you would not have bet against it. Roberts made a wonderful one-hander to deny Patterson. LVDH also dragged one wide. Patterson had another saved in stoppage time. Wests were able to scramble to the finish line for an exhausting 3-3 draw.

This was a messy game and conditions would never have allowed anything else. It was slippery on the surface and both sides were a little too hectic out there when more patience with the ball could have paid dividends. But that made it a better game to watch so no worries. Weirdly, in a game where both teams conceded three times, the defenders were kinda awesome and Wests keeper Quillan Roberts was the best player on the pitch. Birko’s midfield of MacArthur and Van den Hoven were very good (MacArthur’s a real menace in the challenge, gotta love it). And the most promising part was Monty Patterson coming on and creating a game’s worth of chances in half an hour, with a goal and assist to show for it. The fight-back was good from Paul Hobson’s lads. They were unlucky in places, sloppy in others, but still managed to get a point. They had enough chances to win it three times over though.

Western Suburbs should be the happier side by virtue of being the away team, by virtue of that second half pressure, and in light of how they fell apart in week one. Plenty of backbone in this performance, don’t worry. Finn Diamond at the back. Lucas Meek with his two assists showing that he’s way more than just a goal merchant. And of course Quillan Roberts with save after save after save after save ad infinitum. On the back of that effort, every National League team should sign a Guyana international.

Birkenhead United 3-3 Western Suburbs

21’ | WS | 0-1 | Wilson (Meek)

28’ | WS | 0-2 | Fautley (Mackenzie)

54’ | BU | 1-2 | Hughes (Putt)

71’ | BU | 2-2 | Patterson (Lindsay)

75’ | WS | 2-3 | Young (Meek)

79’ | BU | 3-3 | Van Den Hoven (Patterson)

Western Springs vs Coastal Spirit

Contrasting results for these two last week, with Western Springs getting stunned 4-0 away to Napier City Rovers, finding themselves especially vulnerable to the press, while Coastal Spirit produced a powerful defensive display in their MNL introduction by keeping Wellington Olympic scoreless in a 0-0 draw. At least Springs knew they’d have less of a front-foot opponent this time, though if Spirit lived up to their name again then it wasn’t necessarily going to be any easier.

Seddon Fields was the venue, out on the artificial. Western Springs named an unchanged line-up to the last match with Scotty Hales backing his lads to make amends. It also turns out that Emiliano Tade is overseas doing his coaching badges hence why he’s been unavailable. Still no Dawson Straffon either who scored a bunch of goals towards the end of the winter season. Coastal Spirit only made one change and that was Jack Mitchell in for Weston Bell – which was a repeat of the only substitution they made last match and that was a first-half injury-enforced change. Western Springs and Birkenhead United combined for a double-header friendly against Auckland FC on Wednesday night so maybe that would have helped raise a few standards.

Maybe it did because the Swans got this one going with the same possessional focus they brought to the Rovers match but with much quicker ball-movement and more purpose from the midfield. Wasn’t always easy to find space behind or around that Coastal back five though. Coastal were happy to play on the break and they did inspire one or two moments which Aidan Carey and the lads had to deal with. Limited chances in the first quarter of this one, the closest being a Matt Ellis corner kick that was tipped over by Ellis Hare-Reid as it threatened to curl directly in for Springs. But that seemed to be a catalyst, as a scramble from the next corner led to a flurry of blocked WSAFC shots before a Jackson Manuel free kick picked out Reid Drake who swept it onto the post. Then again, an errant Pat Tobin pass almost let Coastal in to score. Alas, Joe Hoole’s shot struck his own teammate... and then Western Springs countered and scored. Ben Wallace took advantage of the extra room to do the honours.

There was some drama when Aidan Carey picked up a deserved yellow card for a sliding challenge then minutes later committed a foul on the edge of the area. Free kick but no second yellow (fair enough – but if this was a Coastal home game he’d have heard about it). David Yoo forced a good low save out of Oscar Mason from the free kick... then rushed over to take a quick corner from which he set up his captain Joe Hoole at the back post for a headed equaliser go on son. They rallied well after conceding and this was the prize. 1-1 at half-time and it was the visitors who’d have been feeling much better.

That feeling didn’t last long. Western Springs retook the lead two minutes into the second half when Wan Gatkek poked the ball over the line from a scrappy corner kick. Hoole had a chance to tie things up again stretching out onto a lovely Mason Stearn inswinging free kick but he got too much on it. Instead, Springs scored again on 51’ and it came via a beautifully flowing possession move, from goalkeeper to goal, with Gatkek playing the piercing ball through for Matthew Ellis to burst onto and score. It was the pace of Ellis that earned the corner kick for the second goal too.

Wouldn’t you know it, Coastal did strike back immediately this time, with Jack Mitchell leaping above the crowd for a close-range header after Daniel Boys had nodded a corner kick back across. But somebody must have spiked the water bottles at half-time because that scoreline only lasted five minutes before Oscar Browne slipped Riley Manuel into the area and RM flipped home a fourth for the Swans. 1-1 at half-time then 4-2 after 58 minutes.

Might have been more but for a brilliant last-ditch block from Carey to deny MacLennan. Actually it was more and it was Western Springs who got amongst it. First Reid Drake was rugby tackled by Spirit substitute Satsumi Hirano which allowed Swans sub Oscar Ramsay to convert from the penalty spot. Then Matt Ellis got his second with a great low finish after some slick dance moves on his left wing. Ryan Stanley and Liam Cotter did have good chances for Spirit before the end but that’d do it. 6-2 to Western Springs, final score.

See now that’s what Coach Hales was hoping to see. Western Springs have already fixed the goal difference blow from last week. An excellent performance across the board in which all of their attacking players contributed. Jackson Manuel and Wan Gatkek were superb in the midfield, with and without the ball (but especially with it), and Aidan Carey anchored a really good defensive display too – granted, they won’t be stoked at conceding twice from set pieces. Coastal Spirit kept it close for half a game but it got away from them after that. These National League games are unforgiving – Springs themselves learned that last week. The focus for Spirit ahead of week three will surely be about how they can get Alejandro Steinwascher more involved because the free-scoring American’s hardly been glimpsed in these first couple rounds.

Western Springs 6-2 Coastal Spirit

27’ | WS | 1-0 | Wallace (Ellis)

38’ | CS | 1-1 | Hoole (Yoo)

47’ | WS | 2-1 | Gatkek

51’ | WS | 3-1 | Ellis (Gatkek)

53’ | CS | 3-2 | Mitchell (Boys)

58’ | WS | 4-2 | R.Manuel (Browne)

77’ | WS | 5-2 | Ramsay [p] (R.Drake)

80’ | WS | 6-2 | Ellis

Wellington Olympic vs Auckland City

A Mediterannean Derby in only the second round of matches? We sure are spoiled. Wellington Olympic hosted this one at Martin Luckie Park having been blanked by Coastal Spirit in a week one draw. Rare areas for Paul Ifill’s side. They made a handful of changes from that team with Adam Supyk returning to the back three and Isa Prins stepping in at left wing-back. Tor Davenport-Petersen reemerged in the midfield. Gavin Hoy got a start in the ten role. Prins was one of the standouts off the bench in the Chatham Cup final so no shocker to see him given prominence for the rematch.

Auckland City were sharp in week one, shrugging off their Club World Cup travel for a 3-1 win over Birkenhead. No Angus Kilkolly in Albert Riera’s eleven in the capital, he’d have to play off the bench despite his heroics against Birko, but they did welcome back Conor Tracey between the sticks. Joe Lee started at left-back with Marco Lorenz switching sides and Jerson Lagos moving forward to right wing. Kentaro Ozaki was also given a start in midfield.

That meant only six starters in common between this eleven and the Chatham Cup final. Olympic had seven in common. There are always a few signings prior to the Nats so this was a reminder that past meetings aren’t always representative. Except for one man and that’s Stipe Ukich. Because he was Man of the Match in the CC final with a performance that’ll go down as a grand announcement of a huge talent... and in the seventh minute of this match he was at it again...

It’s one thing to be fast and skilful and techincally good at 17 years of age but to also have the strength he showed there is nuts. Adam Supyk got bodied. It was Adam Mitchell who sent the early ball forward for the assist. Auckland City scoring out of nothing. Typically, both teams had otherwise been trying to settle into the action, with City’s steady passing and Olympic’s quick-jab attacks. Patience from ACFC. Hunger from WO. And it was all trumped by Stipe Ukich doing something crazy.

The Navy Blues were funky in their build-up, embracing the imbalance of having converted winger-midfielder Lee as one fullback and pure defender Lorenz on the other by letting Lee push up and having Lorenz sit to give them a back three shape in possession. Ozaki would drift wide left. Lagos would drift deep right. Ryan de Vries would drop into the middle. They’ve been practicing. Meanwhile, Olympic’s defensive shape copped a huge blow a mere quarter of an hour into proceedings when Justin Gulley had to be replaced with an injury. William Vincent took his spot.

Nevertheless, the Greeks threw some punches with Eddie Wilkinson and Isa Prins each getting amongst the attacking action... yet they only had the post to thank for it not becoming 2-0 after some magic feet from Lagos led to a strong low shot. It had been tough mahi for Supyk down that side but he delivered the goods with a clearance off the line after some set piece head tennis. Unfortunately that action included a head clash between Joe Hopper and Michael den Heijer. Hopps was fine but MDH got cut above the eye and had to be subbed. Both teams thus losing a key defender in the first half. Nathan Lobo came on in Den Heijer’s place which sparked a more formal embrace of the back three shape now that a natural left-footer could do the LCB things.

The referee was keeping a high bar for fouls which is always risky (but very entertaining) in a rivalry match. Such a high bar that Jack-Henry Sinclair was booked for diving late first half. Wasn’t a foul but the booking was harsh. Anyway, Hamish Watson had combined with Prins for that move while Prins also broke the offside line to force a good near post save by Tracey. Wilkinson sliced one wide as well. It was a disrupted start from Wellington Olympic for multiple reasons but they finished the first half stronger despite being behind on the scoreboard.

The offside flag was then the nemesis on the home fans more than once as the Greeks picked up where they left off. Curiously, Auckland City brought on Gerard Garriga for RDV after 55 mins – seemingly a defensive-minded substitution with a long way still to go. As tends to be the case in a scrappy game like this, you couldn’t go five minutes without somebody yelling “handball ref!”... but midway through the second half there actually was a handball when a driven shot from Watson caught Mitchell’s arm away from his body. Penalty to Wellington Olympic. Ben Mata’s time to shine. The Olympic captain almost never misses... but don’t tell that to Conor Tracey.

What a moment. What a save. Believe it or not, after two weeks we’re yet to see a penalty awarded in the Women’s National League but the MNL has seen seven of them already and, astonishingly, only two have been scored. Both Auckland City goalies have saved a pen: Nathan Garrow in game one, now Conor Tracey in game two.

Wellington Olympic didn’t panic, they simply got moving. Sinclair pinged one slightly wide at the second effort from a through ball. Watson thumped a volley past the framework after it fell his way deep in the box. On came Gianni Bouzoukis for some extra fizz (while ACFC chucked on Kilkolly and Tong Zhou). Lagos had the chance to stop all the commotion with a second goal but he curled that one wide. With five minutes left, Wilkinson let loose some stunning close control driving into the area and past defenders but he blew it with the finish. Watto flashed another one over. Bouzoukis had an effort deflected over. The final whistle blew and that early Stipe Ukich goal was the only thing that mattered in a 1-0 Auckland City victory.

Damn but Wellington Olympic had their chances. It beggars belief that the highest-scoring club in the nation are the only team without a goal two rounds into the National League. All these great scorers – including one of the best penalty takers in the country - but it was Just One Of Those Days for the Greeks. What else can you say? The task gets pretty hectic from now onwards because with one point from two games they’re going to have to string a bunch of wins together if they don’t want to lose out in the sprint for grand final qualification.

It’s a sprint for some but it’s a steady stroll for Auckland City who are the only team with maximum points after two weeks (including the women’s competition). Probably not their finest display but Stipe Ukich continues to look like a baller supreme – and the niggle he showed in this game, even bordering on dirty on occasion (like when he undercut Vincent in an aerial challenge), shows he’s got that dog in him too. That’ll be necessary when he eventually ends up in Europe. And while the young buck was doing that, veteran heads like Conor Tracey and Adam Mitchell were out there taking care of their own business. Marco Lorenz looks a wonderful addition. Jerson Lagos adds some jazz to their classical lineup. Oh and they should have Myer Bevan available next week after his Canadian club officially permitted him to slip out of his existing contract there. Some things don’t change and Auckland City’s ability to regenerate themselves into fresh winning eras is one of those things.

Wellington Olympic 0-1 Auckland City

7’ | AC | 0-1 | Ukich (Mitchell)

Cashmere Technical vs Wellington Phoenix Reserves

It was back to English Park for Cashmere Technical following a 4-0 win against Western Suburbs to get the ball rolling on their MNL campaign. Home confines with plenty of confidence after Garbhan Coughlan and the lads executed the game plan to perfection against Wests. Only two changes were made from that side, though they were pesky ones. Zander Edwards had to replace the injured Matt Tod-Smith, with Yuya Taguchi dropping deeper into midfield to partner Alex Ballard, while Jack Hallahan (another Irishman!) came in for Lyle Matthysen on the wing. Two key players absent. MTS is waiting on the swelling to go down so he can get scans on his knee so we hope there’s not a three-lettered diagnosis. Regardless, confidence had to be high for Cashy Tech as the Wellington Phoenix Reserves dropped by for a visit.

David Ball didn’t play reserves footy this week. He got what he needed with an hour for the WeeNix in round one and it was back to usual... with a different first-teamer taking his place. The only change from the 2-0 loss to Eastern Suburbs (conceding twice in the last ten minutes) was David Ball out and Fin Conchie in. Not a straight swap so Lachlan Candy moved out wide so that Conchie could form a double pivot with Fergus Gillion. Luke Supyk backed up as well so that made two senior contracts in the crew while Dublin Boon, Corban Piper, and Gabe Sloane-Rodrigues ensured three scholarship lads as well. Strong team. Just gotta show they’ve got a full ninety minutes in them unlike week one.

Cashy Tech’s usual ploy, which worked so well in week one, is to sit compact and then unleash the fury on the counter attack. The Phoenix Reserves, like Wests, are an academy team that practicises a lot of possession-based footy and therefore love to build things up from deep. Patience, patience, patience from both teams but in different ways. Aidan Barbour-Ryan and Garbhan Coughlan did have early sighters (GC’s coming from miles out) and later in the half came a couple of Tom Schwarz set piece headers which he couldn’t guide on target – the big fella was apparently playing his 333rd match for Cashmere Tech, an incredible feat by an incredible servant. Additionally, Coughlan stung the palms of Dublin Boon slicing in from the left on one occasion, and on another he slammed his shot into the side-netting.

These weren’t golden chances for Tech but the potential for goals was there. In the other direction, the WeeNix’s assured passing and steady shape looked wonderful until it came time to engage the Tech defenders. Neither Schwarz nor Danny Kane were compromising in any challenges and the entire back four was owning anything in the air. That’s that physical advantage they were always going to have. Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues did flex a few things, dribbling through contact and linking up with sharp one-touchers and unleashing his speed. Love to see that from a hugely-rated prospect. However, it was a reinforced 0-0 scoreline at the break with the home side seeming more likely to have a goal in them.

Oh how wrong that proved to be. Nothing changed in terms of that game flow, with Coughlan, Barbour-Ryan, Taguchi, and Edwards all getting shots away within ten mins of kickoff (all off target), but one slick move up the right-edge from the WeeNix, with Nathan Walker and Lewis Partridge combining beautifully, led to Luke Supyk slipping that ball under Danny Knight for 1-0. Partridge and Supyk are both Cantabrian lads too, how about that lemon twist?

One goal against the run of play doesn’t necessarily do it. Two goals gets a whole lot closer so take a bow Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues because this was sliiiiick...

He almost set up Supyk again soon after. This is the GSR that Giancarlo Italiano’s been seeing at Phoenix training. The bloke who smashed the record to become the club’s youngest ever A-League player (at least until Luke Brooke-Smith smashes it again this season). The guy that Oskar Zawada highlighted as the top talent in the academy. Although fair play to Nathan Walker because he can hit them too...

Then, for good measure, Luke Flowerdew came off the bench and scored in stoppage time to make it four. Slight miscommunication between the two central defenders from a long Boon bomb (that guy gets some yardage on his kicks, mate) and then Flowerdew beat Knight to the loose ball to score. 4-0 to the WeeNix. Who saw that coming?

In no way did this seem like a 4-0 result but there ya go. The WeeNix were super clinical, scoring some wonderful goals, with Gabe Sloane-Rodrigues thrilling with his skilful touches. But it runs much deeper than that. Cashy Tech had way more shots but at the end of the game it was hard to think back on any in particular. Nothing stood out because the powerful duo of Dylan Gardiner and especially Corban Piper (who looks an absolute natural at CB) didn’t allow anything easy and Fin Conchie was quietly excellent in the midfield disrupting and distributing in equal portions. Luke Supyk got a goal and Dublin Boon got a clean sheet so all the first-teamers had fun out there. Cashmere Technical weren’t even that far off... but you’d have to say they missed the controlling presence of Matt Tod-Smith and the dynamic presence of Lyle Matthysen.

Thanks to this result, all ten clubs have at least one point on the board after two weeks, with only Auckland City having won both matches. The defending champs are down near the bottom, Wellington Olympic yet to score a goal. Cashmere Tech have had a 4-0 win and a 4-0 loss. Western Springs have had a 4-0 loss and a 6-2 win. This competition is wide open and we love it.

Cashmere Technical vs Wellington Phoenix Reserves

59’ | WP | 0-1 | Supyk (Partridge)

65’ | WP | 0-2 | Sloane-Rodrigues (Candy)

72’ | WP | 0-3 | Walker (Candy)

90+2’ | WP | 0-4 | Flowerdew

Eastern Suburbs vs Napier City Rovers

One week into the National League, Eastern Suburbs need a new manager. Nothing scandalous, especially not after a tidy 2-0 win over the WeeNix last week, it’s actually that Kane Wintersgill has gotten himself a professional opportunity overseas. Very exciting. Hasn’t been announced what’s up yet but we await the good news. Brian Shelley was listed by NZF as the Lilywhites coach instead. Suburbs used almost the exact same squad of players as week one with the lone outside change being a Nikko Boxall appearance. Always handy to summon a capped international for your defence. Jackson Jarvie and Daniel Atkinson also rotated in as the wing-backs after fine sub efforts in week one.

Napier City Rovers were wonderful against Western Springs but they were away at Madills Farm as they met their second Auckland opponent. Three changes for a confident Rovers team. Stephen Hoyle didn’t line up against his old team because he’s on the staff for the U17 Women’s World Cup so George Andrew took his place. Max Chretien was a straight swap up top for Kieran Richards after being injured last week. And also club stalwart Fergus Neil got a start at wing-back.

It didn’t show up on the broadcast but a drone camera fell onto the pitch after three minutes which caused a slight delay. Another one of those National League things (pity Rebekah Stott wasn’t around to identify it). As for the footy, it was clear from the jump that Rovers were in for a very different task with Suburbs really seeking to ping the ball around with intent. But then the same was true of Suburbs, who were so patient and deliberate with their build-up against the WeeNix but the high press of Napier forced them to act with more of a hurry. Chretien charged down consecutive Raj clearances at one point. Everyone was on their toes.

Jake Mechell glanced a shot across goal sticking his head onto a free kick. Always important for Suburbs to get him as involved as possible. Same goes for Oscar Faulds in the other direction, but he hardly got a touch before having to be replaced with a knock after only 28 minutes. Jordan Annear on in his place. A serious blow for Rovers to lose their top scorer, they were 3-0 up after half an hour in week one but it was still scoreless at that stage here with the respective back threes withstanding the press and cleaning up anything played long. Ah but the deadlock was soon busted when Campbell Strong turned beautifully through pressure in his own half and next thing Josh Galletly was slipping a pass down the right wing for Daniel Atkinson. Both goals that Suburbs scored against the WeeNix came from Atkinson crosses. Make that three outta three because Jake Mechell was exactly where he needed to be to stick a leg out and make it 1-0.

And then Napier City equalised. Took them less than five minutes. Subs had Matthew Jones under pressure near the sideline so he rushed infield and lobbed a ball over the top. The ball cleared James Mitchell and met the movement of Adam Hewson who whipped a smart finish past Vadym Patkevych. The first real chance that Rovers had mustered and they dispatched it with the same ruthlessness they showed to Western Springs.

Those chances emerged outta the blue, yet Aryan Raj possibly should have made it 2-1 to Subs when he side-footed an attempt over the top with space at the back post. It didn’t happen then but it did happen early into the second half when Mechell made it a double, converting from a similar situation to the first goal. More of a side-to-side team move this time but it ended with Josh Galletly swinging in a low cross and Mechell throwing a limb at it. The ball sorta bobbled its way inside the post with William Tønning misjudging the turn off the grassy wicket. But just like before, NCR were very quickly level again. Max Chretien. Flick header from a Fergus Neil cross. 2-2, people.

Rovers gave it a nudge with Hewson unleashing an effort which Patkevych palmed out for a corner and Emerson got a shot on target via some late curl through the air which Patkevych again dealt with. The Lilywhites subbed on last week’s scorers Tom Golding and Dejuan Naidoo though it was Ralph Rutherford whose deflected shot very nearly gave them a third lead. Naidoo hooked a shot wide with a bit of room around him. Tønning squeezed out another Rutherford chance near post. Amidst all that drama and intrigue, Rovers bounced out on the break a few times and continued to press where they could. Emerson had another shot on target, Patkevych once more denying him with an outstretched save and then the same bloke headed just over from deep on the corner. Jordan Annear spun on the ball and drew the best save of them all from Patkevych. Each team had back and forth spells of immense pressure, continuing right up until Dylan Laing-McConnell’s stoppage time header glanced past the post. Ultimately everyone had to smile and settle for a point apiece from a 2-2 draw.

There’s a lot to like about how Bill Robertson’s got this Napier City Rovers team playing. They buck the common trend of slow build-ups but they certainly don’t play negative footy. They press well and they attack from wide. Plus they’re brutes at the back in the best possible way. Cam Emerson was excellent in midfield. William Tønning put on another strong show with the gloves. Matthew Jones was the pick of the defenders – he’s back this year from university in the USA, having gone to the U17 World Cup back in 2017 (alongside dudes like Liberato Cacace, Eli Just, Max Mata, and also his NCR teammate Kieran Richards). It’s the way they play as a team that does it though. Twice they conceded, twice they hit back immediately. Rovers dismantled Western Springs and now have taken an impressive point on the road from Eastern Suburbs... and they did it this week with star player Oscar Faulds hardly featuring.

In fact, Napier City Rovers would have won that game were it not for the saves of Vadym Patkevych so the 20yo Eastern Suburbs keeper can be pretty proud of his efforts. Jake Mechell too, continues to be the goal-scorer that he proved himself to be in winning the Northern League golden boot. Their subs again made bright impressions. Lots of young players in this group but those guys are up to the level, no dramas there. Suburbs had their chances. Secondary scorers behind Mechell was an issue in the winter but they got some substitute strikes last week so let that idea settle for now. Can’t underestimate Napier City Rovers at the moment, which means that Eastern Suburbs should call this a respectable point. Two good teams made it tricky for each other and in the end it all balanced out.

Eastern Suburbs 2-2 Napier City Rovers

32’ | ES | 1-0 | Mechell (Atkinson)

36’ | NCR | 1-1 | Hewson (Jones)

50’ | ES | 2-1 | Mechell (Galletly)

54’ | NCR | 2-2 | Chretien (Neil)

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