New Zealand Northern League 2025
We were at Fred Taylor Park for the first ever home game for the Auckland FC Reserves team which was against Tauranga City AFC. Unfortunately Auckland FC Reserves didn’t get the result we wanted as we lost 2-3, BUT it was good to see the young guys in action.
I was surprised how there were only a dozen or so of The Port cheering on the team every now and then. Maybe it is just the distance of the game (Whenuapai) that meant fewer people could arrive (you need a car).
Another observation I made is that almost all of the players had higher numbers on the back of their shirts; no numbers from 1-15. If the AFC Reserves players want to wear the goalkeeper no.1 or strikers 9 and 10 numbers … they can only earn it by being in the top Auckland FC team.
If you need convincing to come out and support the Auckland FC Reserves team, there is plenty of parking AND … they have a bar overlooking the pitch! 🙂
Some of these players MAY eventually make the main Auckland FC squad once they get more experience. It will be interesting to see what happens to these young players in the future.
Saturday 29th March 2025, 3:00pm (NZ)
Auckland FC Reserves vs. Tauranga City AFC Goals
Final Score: 2-3
The Auckland FC Reserves Goals were:
⚽️ 15’ James Taylor (header from a corner)
⚽️ 26’ Ralph Rutherford
James Taylor’s goal came from a corner that bounced off two other Auckland FC players until it reached the back where an unmarked Taylor came in near the back post to head the ball in.
Ralph Rutherford temporarily put Auckland FC into the lead with a well struck ball past the goalkeeper that then hit the far post and went in.
In the 63th minute, James Mitchell almost got another goal for Auckland FC though it hit the post and came back out into play.
The Tauranga City AFC Goals were:
⚽️ 5’ Colby Brennan (An early goal that put a quick dampener on things)
⚽️ 41’ Morgan Wellsbury
⚽️ 86’ Van Fitzharris (right at the end of the match … aaarrrggghhh!!!)
