Easter football round-up: Derby delight for Otūmoetai and Tauranga City win back-to-back
Otūmoetai enjoyed a derby day win over Tauranga City to pick up their first NRFL Women's victory while Tauranga City men picked up two wins from two.
The Easter action got underway with a momentous derby game at Links Avenue on Thursday evening, as Otūmoetai made the short journey across town to take on Tauranga City in their first-ever NRFL Women’s Championship cross-city clash.
Fans in attendance were dealt a treat as the two sides played out a seven-goal thriller, with Otūmoetai claiming bragging rights in a 4-3 triumph.
City had the better of the first half, with goals from Briana Osborne and Talia Entwistle ensuring a 2-1 lead, despite Halle Carr’s earlier leveller.
Taryn Holloway then proved the hero, a double within 10 minutes after the hour mark giving the visitors the lead.
Grace Duncan stretched that advantage with five minutes remaining and despite Emma Cawte pulling City to within one goal late on Otūmoetai held on for the win.
The victory was Otūmoetai’s first at this level and moves them above City in the table. The two sides face off again at Fergusson Park in June.
Tauranga City AFC men’s first team picked up their first NRFL Championship win of the season on Good Friday after a comfortable 2-0 win over Fencibles United at Links Avenue and followed it up with another, beating Ellerslie 2-1 on Easter Monday.
City dominated Fencibles for much of the Friday fixture, with Liam Molloy hitting the post and Morgan Wellsbury twice coming close to opening the scoring before Jonty Bidois’s powerful drive earned a 1-0 half-time lead.
Barry Gardiner’s side continued to impress in the second period and a defensive mix-up from the East Aucklanders allowed Molloy to lay up an empty net for Bidois to secure his brace.
The Light Blues went on the road for the first time this season to take on Ellerslie at Michaels Avenue on Monday, fighting back from a goal down to secure another win.
Luke Robb gave the Ponies an early lead but Colby Brennan’s goal ensured it was level at half-time.
Centre-back Campbell Higgins then popped up with the winning goal just after the hour mark, with City moving up to fourth as a result.
City are back at home next week, with Metro the visitors to Links Ave.
Like City, Pāpāmoa FC also enjoyed a very good Friday, securing their first NRFL Men’s Southern Conference win in style as Colm Kenny’s hat-trick helped them to a 6-2 thrashing at Te Awamutu.
The teams traded three goals within the space of three first-half minutes to get the ball rolling. Giancarlo Cannobio’s vicious volley was immediately cancelled out by an equally special Nicolas King-McRae equaliser from range. A minute later, Kenny’s near-post header had Pap back in front.
Vincent Callister stretched their lead to 3-1 before former Hansa Rostock youngster Mikhail Bredeveldt pulled the advantage to three.
Kenny was then gifted his second, as a botched clearance from the Te Awamutu ‘keeper ricocheted off the striker into the net as Pap took a commanding 5-1 lead into the break.
Haydn Roil pulled one back for the home side before Kenny completed his hat-trick with five minutes remaining to secure an eye-catching three points.
The Bay’s two other sides in the Conference are however still awaiting their first wins of the season.
Otūmoetai lost 3-0 at Waikato Unicol while Ngongotahā Lakes lost 3-1 at Claudelands Rovers, despite Mel Cropp giving them the lead with his third goal in two games.
Tauranga City’s WaiBOP League One side saw their match with Otorohanga postponed this week while the Easter break means no football in the Bay Leagues.