The Old Collegians' side featured players from several generations including current Auckland City FC player Adam McGeorge, who helped win the OFC Champions League title in Fiji just a few days earlier. Added to that, current staff member Mr Michael Stewart bolstered their backline to form an intimidating defensive unit that would prove to be more than sufficient to repel the attacking raids of the First XI.
With some previously unavailable players introduced to the First XI team for this game, Head Coach Mr Rowan Adams was able to try out some different player combinations.
The match was played on a cool autumn day that remained fine until late in the second half when several small showers swept in to wash the players down.
The Old Collegians started strongly but were met with strong defence in the shape of Jackson Astley and Jack Auton along our right flank. On the 8th minute mark, a nice through ball by Zach Edwards to Harrison Zhang gave him a shot at their goal but this was comfortably saved. A few minutes later Harrison Nash thumped a strong shot from 30 metres low and hard. It moved upwards and forced our keeper Mitchell Verry to parry it vertically. Unfortunately momentum carried it over his head and into the back of our net. 1-0 to the Old Collegians.
The remainder of the first half was played mainly in the middle third of the pitch and both teams created several chances but good defence ruled this period of play. Then, a couple of concentration lapses in the First XI defence saw the Old Collegians extend their lead to 3-0 by the end of the half.
The rest of the match was much more evenly contested and despite some excellent attacking spells by both teams, just one further goal would be converted, once again by the Old Collegians, following a loss of possession close to the First XI goal.
Final score 4-0 to the Old Collegeians who now have a record to defend in 2016.
Well done to the Old Collegians. It was a valuable match from the First XI’s perspective, despite the final scoreline, as they prepare to take on the Auckland and National Champions of 2014, Scared Heart College, this Saturday in round one of the AKSS Football Premier League.
