Botany Downs
came to Alberton Avenue an unbeaten team, but certainly learned
that there is a a big gulf between division A3 and the Auckland
Premier league.
MAGS crushed any challenge early on and never looked like they
would not be appearing in the semi final.
Chances appeared very early in a first half where MAGS led at
the end by 6-0. The first goal was as early as the 5th minute
when Sam Redwood tapped home a Jordan Vale inswinging corner.
The second followed quickly when Arus Sem rose to head home a
Hamilton cross at the far post in the 8th minute after a
sweeping right wing move that had class written all over it.
The next on the score sheet was Jordan Vale with a powerful
low strike from the edge of the box to make it 3-0 in 18
minutes. As a spectacle, MAGS looked already through to the
next round and had brushed aside any eastern suburb challenge.
This did not deter them from adding another three before half
time the scorers were Arus Sem in the 21st minute, Jordan Vale
in the 26th minute and Faitalia Hamilton in the 35th
minute.
Half time MAGS 6 Botany Downs 0
It must have
been tempting for MAGS coach Kevin Fallon to go to the bench,
but he started the second half with an unchanged line up. After
ten minutes though, Connor Stoton replaced the hard working Sem
who had given a good account of himself down both flanks. Then,
three minutes later, a double substitution saw Atherton replace
Hand in the middle of the park and Lynch replace the lively
Hamilton on the right hand side.
The substitutions brought life to the game and soon two goals
from Karlo Pavic in the 57th minute and another in the 59th
minute from Jordan Vale shot MAGS to an unbeatable 8-0 lead.
The ninth goal was a beauty. Substitute Connor Lynch hammered
home off the foot of the post, from an acute angle, to make it
nine in the 61st minute.
Then, for Botany Downs, the highlight of the game when they
capitalised on a mistake from the MAGS midfield player Nikko
Boxall who got caught in ball possession. The ball was played
quickly in behind the MAGS central defenders, Sam Redwood and
Matthew Rowland to Botany Downs striker Mohammed. He kept his
cool in a one-versus-one situation with MAGS goalkeeper Patrick
George to make it 9-1. The visitors were ecstatic.
The last big incident of the game saw Jordan Vale blast wide
from the penalty spot in the 77th minute.
MAGS were through and coach Kevin Fallon said, "I did not
expect such a big score. Botany Downs came here unbeaten and we
gave them the respect of an unbeaten team."
Final score MAGS 9, Botany Downs College 1
Referee Mr Karim Shabbot
Cautions Arus Sem, Faitalia Hamilton
Dismissals nil
Goalscorers Jordan Vale 3, Arus Sem 2, Sam Redwood, Faitalia Hamilton, Karlo Pavic, Connor Lynch.
Man of the
Match Matt Aleman.
MAGS: George,
Kiddell, Rowland (c), Redwood, Alemann, Boxall, Hand, Vale.
Hamilton, Pavic K, Sem.
Substitutes
Stoton for Sem
60
Atherton for Hand 63
Lynch for Hamilton 63