MELVILLE MAGIC
15 APRIL 2022
18 APRIL 2022
2022 | 03
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Proud Sponsors of Melville United AFC Front Cover: Stafford Dowling against Eastern Suburbs in pre-season PHOTO: Cordwainer Bull
Chairman's Welcome Welcome to Manukau United, who arrive fresh from a Good Friday match at home to Bay Olympic. Incidentally, this column has been written prior to the Good Friday round of matches, so fingers crossed Melville did better than 2021 with their tough away fixture against league leaders Birkenhead United. But it was at least heartening to finally get three points away to Takapuna last week after the frustration of our home loss a week earlier. But if there was a silver lining to that defeat by Bay Olympic it was that we were able to use the occasion to host finally Sir William Gallagher for the afternoon, in what was his first matchday visit to Gower Park.
We have been neighbours with Gallaghers for decades and are now trying build on this relationship in an era where we are also seeking to undertake major facility development. On this front, on May 10 we hope to receive a Feasibility Study report by Visitor Solutions into new clubrooms at Gower Park. This will be a major document, and the basis of future work at the park beyond its role as a training venue for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. In a related activity, on Friday April 29 we are running a Stakeholders Day for sponsors and funding agencies, which will be facilitated by our club patron Jamie Strange, MP. Over the next few months more alert club members may notice a fenced-off portable cell tower adjacent to the Gower No 6 pitch. The club has reached an agreement with Vodafone to temporarily locate this piece of equipment there while upgrade work is being done on its network. This is something that has been arranged as a maintenance project and bears no relation to club captain Big Phil’s very lengthy phone calls to committee members about club business. Meanwhile, the poor state of pitch 2 means it is being closed for a couple of weeks to allow much-needed renovation and recovery. Melville are fielding 20 teams this season, including a record number of seven teams competing in northern regional leagues. Our 2022 Melville teams are: Men's: First Team, U23s, Federation Premiership, Nobs, Mighty As, Corinthians (previously St Paul’s), Melville Bs, Old Boys (over 35s), U17 Mixed, U15 Mixed, U14 Mixed, U13, U12 Red, U12 Green Women's: First Team, Reserves, Epics, U16 Girls, U14 Girls, U13 Girls
Sam Says Football’s a funny old game…...we had as many (if not more) positive moments in the Auckland City and Bay Olympic games as we did last week against Takapuna, yet we walked away with nothing from the first two games and three points from the third! That’s not to take anything away from last weekends result which was a fantastic battling performance but more to highlight how, with a bit of luck, we could have been sitting on seven points at this stage of the season instead of three. The back three (plus Max) were superb last week in dealing with the aerial threat of Takapuna. It is vital that we show the ability to stand up to that sort of play away from home and I was really pleased with the resilience the lads showed. In possession, Olly Colloty and Stafford Dowling were a constant threat in what was at times a scruffy game. Stafford’s goal was just reward for the work rate he has shown with and without the ball in the first three games. By the time you read this we will have also played Birkenhead United away which is always a tough fixture. I believe the squad is a in a good place at present and if we can build on the first two performances of the season and last weekends result we will hopefully come into todays games with three more points. It was great to see the Academy back in action last weekend. The new NZF TDP set up has placed a lot of demands on the match day requirements for youth games. I believe it is important to strive to improve all elements of youth football. However, last week we faced a club in Auckland United that seemed more fixated about whether we had roped the pitch off and what qualifications the volunteer refs had than they did about the actual football. I do worry that with all these rules and requirements we are losing sight of what is really important in youth football...developing players and people!
Today we welcome Manukau United. Rudy is a bright young coach who has recruited well over the summer, we will be expecting a fierce contest today and look forward to the challenge. With the changes to the COVID settings we also look forward to welcoming Manukau United and our own supporters back into the clubrooms after the game. Enjoy the match, Sam
1. Max TOMMY (GK) 2. Braeden QUILTER-PHIPPS 3. Aaron SCOTT (c) 4. Luke SEARLE 5. Campbell BROWN 6. Logan WISNEWSKI 7. Harry CHRISTENSEN-ROSE 8. Liam HAYES 9. Ryen LAWRENCE 10. Jerson LAGOS 11. Quinton KIPARA 12. Oliver COLLOTY 13. Leslie KIVOLYN 14. Sean LIDDICOAT 15. Stafford DOWLING 16. Aston HURD 17. Josh GALLETLY 18. John OAKMAN 19. Raheem HUNTER 20. Conor JAMIESON (GK) 21. Sean LEADLEY 22. Lemuel LE HANE 23. Dylan WILLIAMS 24. Ethan RICHARDS Coach: Sam WILKINSON Assistant Coach: Harry TRETHOWAN Operations: Seamus MARTEN Physio: James YOUNG Manager: Steve BETTIS Assistant Manager: Danny MILNER
1. Ernest WONG (GK) 2. Aleem SHEIK 3. Sohail BASHA 4. Hayden JOHNS 5. Shuiab KHAN 6. Tino CONTRATTI 7. 8. 9. Maro BONSU-MARO 10. Andre ESTAY 11. Thomas GOLDING 12. 13. Boon OZAWA 14. Callum LOWE 15. 16. Keegan LINDERBOOM 17. James HOYT 18. 19. Tuyishime BYAMANA 20. 21. 22. William GREGORY 23. Jade MESIAS 24. Mohamed AWAD 25. Liam BAILEY 30. Nathan GARROW (GK) Coach: Rudy MOZR Assistant Coach: Peter SMITH Assistant Coach: Alan SHAKER Physio: Zihan ZANG Physio: Jozef FLEMING Manager: Jason ORMSBY
Referee: CK KAWANA WAUGH | AR1: Sarah JONES | AR2: Daniel GALLO
2022 First Team Squad
Player sponsorships still available Contact: info@melvilleunited.co.nz
2022 First Team Squad
Player sponsorships still available Contact: info@melvilleunited.co.nz
Melville are on the board
Stafford Dowling in the home opener against Bay Olympic PHOTO: Kybosh Photography
Melville have pocketed their first points of the northern premier league season with a hard-fought 1-0 away win over Takapuna. The decisive goal was scored by Stafford Dowling in the 23rd minute. The ball was played through for him on the break and he timed his run beautifully to tuck the ball away on the angle with his left foot. It was good reward for Dowling, who had been Melville’s most energetic players in the two previous losses, and was duly named player of the day. After spending several seasons in the Auckland wilderness, this was Dowling’s first goal for Melville since June 4, 2018, when he scored in a 4-3 away Chatham cup win over Ellerslie, according to club statistician Ron Anorak. He also noted Melville enjoyed five 1-0 wins last season (and four 0-1 losses for that matter) so it was almost familiar territory for the Unicorns and coach Sam Wilkinson. “Away from home, I love a good 1-0,” Wilkinson said. “We expected a tight scrappy match and that was what we got. “Stafford took his goal really well, with his left foot on the angle, no less. We might have been two or three up on chances in the first half and for 30 minutes in the second half I felt we were the better team. After that we managed the onslaught.” The win has left Melville seventh on a very tight table. Wilkinson was also impressed by targetman Oliver Colloty. “For a lot of the game he looked the best on the pitch.” And he was happy with his back three, and keeper Max Tommy, who bounced back from a tough day against Bay Olympic to record his first clean sheet by tidily dealing with a barrage of crosses and balls into the box. There were bookings to Raheem Hunter, Aaron Scott and Jerson Lagos, but none for Liam Hayes.
U-23s continue winning ways Sean Leadley scored a goal in each half and Dylan Williams converted a penalty to earn Zeya Hussaini’s Melville U23s a good 3-2 win over Takapuna Reserves, after trailing early.
The match also featured the first 90 minutes for defender Luke Searle on his way back from a knee injury. Unbeaten Melville are third on the table, two points behind leaders Birkenhead.
Auckland United account for Academy Auckland United secured a clean sweep over Melville United's Academy sides in the latest round of NRFL Youth matches. LOTTO NRFL Under 14 Mixed | Round 02 Melville United 2-4 Auckland United LOTTO NRFL Under 15 Mixed | Round 02 Melville United 0-4 Auckland United LOTTO NRFL Under 17 Mixed | Round 02 Melville United 0-3
Girls Academy score first win Our U16 girls bounced back from a first round loss to record a great 4-3 away win over Western Springs thanks to a hat trick from 13-year-old Laura Bennett and one from Maddy Kay, daughter of former Football Fern and Waikato rep, Jane Smith. LOTTO NRFL Under 14 Girls | Round 02 Melville United 1-4 Birkenhead United LOTTO NRFL Under 16 Girls | Round 02 Western Springs 3-4 Melville United
1. Jack PHILLIPS (GK) 2. Charlie HOLLOWAY 3. Niall FLETCHER 4. Lemuel LE HANE 5. Jake FANNIN 6. Cayden BUITENDACH 7. Jomig WENCESLAO 8. Ethan RICHARDS 9. Thomas CAVE 10. Matthew D'HOTHAM 11. Dylan WILLIAMS 12. Aidan COFFEY 13. Carlos RANUI 14. Michael HO 15. Connor CLOETE 16. Aston HURD 17. Dakota BRADY 18. Isaac BATES 19. Jafar ALI 20. Conor JAMIESON (GK) 21. Kalani VIEIRA GALL 22. Makaha VIEIRA GALL 23. Mason FINLAY 24. Keagan THOMPSON 25. Gus FOY
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.
Stone BREWERTON (GK) Aleem SHEIK
Coach: Zeya HUSSAINI Physio: James YOUNG Manager: Danny MILNER
Coach: Alan SHAKER Manager: Olla SHAHIN
Leo HALL Shayen KESHA Max HANCOCK Teddy TADESSE Caleb PRASAD Mohammed Yunus ATIQ Avishek NAND Denis TOKORANGI Mohammed Zareef IFRAZ Jaden ANDREWS Elliot O'CONNELL Vishay REDDY Moh REYNOLDS Mason BARLOW
Referee: CK KAWANA WAUGH | AR1: Sarah JONES | AR2: Daniel GALLO
Tough start for women's first team
Skipper Rebecca Brown was best for the women's first team PHOTO: Cordwainer Bull
The Melville United women’s first team will learn and grow from a first-up defeat in 2022, says coach Tarena Ranui. Melville lost 4-2 away to a strong well organised Waikato Unicol team in their opening W-league match for 2022, played at Jansen Park on a pitch slightly bigger than Wembley. Many of the Melville players were making their W-league debut, while there were also four players out with Covid. “It was a big step for a lot of the players in moving into the senior space, with more physicality than the age group football,” Ranui said. “We had plenty of good moments where we moved the ball nicely but often lacked patience. “There has been incredible support from the rest of the club and we are very grateful for that and we will grow as the season develops.” Melville conceded a goal in just the fourth minute but levelled before halftime when 16-year-old Manaia Elliott earned, and then converted a 26th minute penalty. Unicol again went ahead in the second half, though 17-year-old Stella Bahr pulled it back to 2-3 with a 71st minute goal. Best for Melville was skipper Rebecca Brown, playing in midfield rather than centre back. Melville’s next game is not until May 1, at home to Otumoetai United at 1pm. # Melville women’s reserves started their season with a 2-1 home win over Matamata Swifts after being a goal down at halftime, thanks to goals from Antonia and Selena Timings.
Feds back in action with draw
The newly created Melville United Federation team took on West Hamilton at home to start off the 2022 season. The team started off slow, holding off numerous West Hamilton attacks, conceding an early yellow card, and narrowly avoiding conceding two penalty kicks. It took Melville a good 30 minutes before the team finally woke up and started to play the quality of football they have shown throughout pre season. However, against the run of play West Ham went up 1-0 off a defensive error following a corner in the 41st minute, being recorded on the score sheet as an own goal to Jayden Richards. Although, it didn’t take long before Melville equalised in the 42nd minute following some quality link up play down the wing between Trent Lynch and Campbell Halley, and a header at the back post scored by Mason Apperley. The first half ended with the scores level at 1-1. The Melville boys operated slower in the second half, however still managed to dominate in spells and were unlucky to find the back of the net through multiple shots on target by Matt Collier, Campbell Halley and Conor Reynolds. As the game dawned towards the 70th minutes the boys were knackered as all available substitutions had been made, and a few players had to carry on with knocks and the onset of cramp. The boys held out spells of attacking plays from West Ham, including one that rattled the cross bar and one put over the bar from 6 yards out. The remainder of the game saw the back line put in a few frantic clearances which proved to be enough to hold on for a 1-1 draw. The Feds are away to Wanderers on Saturday at 2.45pm.
Waikato leagues underway On Friday night defending Waikato Div 1 champs Melville Nobs stumbled to a 3-2 loss to Te Awamutu. It was the last match for a month on pitch 2 at Gower Park with the ground closed until 2 May for urgent repairs.
Meanwhile the Melville Old Boys also lost 3-2 to Te Awamutu under lights at the Velodrome. Melville Bs lost 0-2 to Northern Humblebees. Elsewhere the Corinthians were defeated 1-5 by the Claudelands Rovers Squatters. The Waikato Leagues take a break over Easter before getting back underway on Anzac Weekend. Friday, 8 April 2022 Waikato Men's Division 1 | Round 01 Melville United Nobs 2-3 Te Awamutu Waikato Men's Over 35s | Round 01 Melville United Old Boys 2-3 Te Awamutu Saturday, 9 April 2022 Waikato Men's Division 2 | Round 01 Melville United Bs 0-2 Northern United Humblebees WaiBOP Premiership | Round 01 Melville United Federation 1-1 West Hamilton Waikato Men's Division 1 | Round 01 Claudelands Rovers 5-1 Melville United Corinthians
MELVILLE ACADEMY 2022 MATCH REPORTS Academy Girls: U14s have introduced 26 different girts into NRFL over the first two weeks of competition. They are the first girls team from WaiBOP to represent the region in this league. And despite being one of the younger groups in the 2-year age l>and they continue to impress with their ability on the baU and their effort. The giJ1s were unfortunate to lose their first 2 games to Wester Springs (3-2) and Birl<enhead (4-1). After a tough introduction to NRFL football against Auckland United our U16 Girts, Who are also entenng the league for the first lime, bounced back to beat Western Springs 4-2. Laura Bennett scored a hat trick to upset a traditionally large female dub. Academy Boys: The boys were handed a tough start to the season with games against Tauranga and Auckland United respectively. A tough set of results to take away from the weekend of games vs Tauranga which didn't reflect the true story of what happened on the pitch. U14's came away with a 2-2 draw, U15's losing 4-1 and the U17's losing 3-1. Some great footbaU on show by all 3 teams but the Melville curse in front of goal was evident for all to see. This past weekend was a tough one to take for the boys, but for different reasons. The U14's battled hard and were unlucky to come away with a 4-2 defeat. The U15's and U17's lost 4-0 and 3-0 respectively. Both the 15's and 17's weren't at the races in the first half and showed a little too much respect to the opposition. A spirited second haH from both sides did show a glimpse of What the boys can achieve When they really get themselves in the zone and ready to battle. All in au, a solid first term from the academy. Lots to build on and an exciting league season awaits.
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