The honour of winning the last ever National Youth League has gone to Auckland City after the Junior Navy Blues secured their third consecutive title in thrilling fashion.

Going into the last weekend of action, Auckland were tied on points with Hamilton Wanderers and Waitakere United – who were set to come up against each other – while Team Wellington also still had a mathematical chance of lifting the trophy.

But Auckland were in charge of their own destiny due to their outstanding goal difference and did not let that opportunity slip, although they waited until the last possible moment to seal their three-peat of titles.

The score was locked at 1-1 deep into injury time on their visit to Canterbury United and, had it stayed that way, the trophy would have been heading to Hamilton after Wanderers edged out Waitakere 2-1.

Deandre Vollenhoven wasn’t about to let that happen though and stepped up to provide a dramatic match-winner with one of the last kicks of the game, breaking the hearts of the Hamilton players in the process.

“In the three months we’ve had together, the boys have grown and grown and to finish the way we did in the last few minutes was brilliant,” coach Kris Bright said.

“I did think it would come. We were attacking really well and created a lot of chances,” he added.

“Hopefully a few of the players can kick on, be involved in the first team and perhaps even the OFC Champions League campaign. They’re a great group of boys and I couldn’t be happier for them.”

Deandre Vollenhoven wrote himself into Auckland City folklore with the winner (Photosport)

It’s somewhat fitting Auckland City have claimed the last National Youth League title as they are the most successful club in the competition’s 19-year history.

The Junior Navy Blues have claimed seven titles, including winning back-to-back titles three times – the only club to do so.

Hamilton Wanderers finished level on points with the champions while Team Wellington were just two points further back in third and Waitakere had to settle for fourth after losing all of their last three matches.

Waitakere did claim an individual honour however with Rayhan Carlson-Du Toit picking up the golden boot thanks to his 12 strikes.

Josh Clarkin (Hamilton Wanderers), Thomas Drillien (Auckland City) and Ryan Feutz (Team Wellington) were not far behind after all finding the net ten times.

See below for all the results and goal scorer details from the final match week.

For the National Youth League table and more information please click here

National Youth League Match Week Nine

Tasman United 0
Wellington Phoenix 3 (Joshua Galletly 8’, Fin Conchie 45 + 1’, Owen Barnett 66’)
HT: 0-2

Southern United 2 (Rory Findlay 2’, Lewis Wall 12’)
Hawke’s Bay United 3 (Josh Murphy 59’, James Hoyle 61’, Harry Mason 90 + 6’)
HT: 2-0

Eastern Suburbs 4 (Arzan Todywalla 20’, 49’, 51’, Kingsley Sinclair 32’)
Team Wellington 6 (Ollie Pickering 12’, 37’, Ryan Feutz 55’, Oliver van Rijssel 66’, William Gillion 77’, Wan Gatkek 84’)
HT: 2-2

Canterbury United Dragons 1 (Seth Simpson 55’)
Auckland City 2 (Aidan Carey 32’, Deandre Vollenhoven 90 + 3’)
HT: 0-1

Hamilton Wanderers 2 (George Ott 78’, Josh Clarkin 83’)
Waitakere United 1 (Rayhan Carlson-Du Toit 33’)
HT: 0-1

Article added: Monday 09 December 2019