When they
could have been having a Saturday off, Mount Albert Grammar
School played a friendly game, versus the Melville Football
Academy team, coached by ex -All White, Declan Edge.
It was a game where MAGS dominated territory for most of the
game apart from a ten-minute spell just after half time where
goalkeeper Patrick George had to make a couple of saves when
the Melville striker got in behind MAGS skipper Mathew Rowland.
It was Rowland who put his team into the lead in the third
minute, volleying home a Jordan Vale corner giving the Melville
keeper no chance from six yards out.This was to be the only
goal of a game where MAGS never looked like conceding, apart
from the previously mentioned spell after the interval.
The game provided MAGS coach Kevin Fallon with valuable match
practice in preparation for what is a big week for the National
Champions. On Tuesday they entertain Botany Downs at MAGS in a
Auckland Knock Out Cup quarter-final and on Saturday the top
two in the Premier League clash with the visit of Auckland
Grammar School.
Coach Kevin Fallon was more than happy with the outcome
saying, "I never felt we would concede a goal against a useful
team. We got the early goal and dominated territory and,
eventually, the game."
Melville coach Declan Edge was also pleased with his charges
and was looking forward to playing MAGS later in the year in
the Waikato saying, "They are the bench mark in this country re
youth football and we pushed them today."
Final result MAGS 1 Melville United 0
Referee Mr Vern Dormer
Man of the match Matt Rowland
Goalscorer
Matt Rowland, 3rd minute.
MAGS: George, Kiddell, Rowland (c) Redwood, Alemann, Boxall,
Vale, Hand,
Hamilton, Sem, Pavic K.
Substitites
Stoton for Sem
Stewart for Pavic K
Atherton for Hand
Lynch for Alemann
Pavic M not used