City feel the away day pain in seven-goal thriller

Josh Nelson’s goal put city 3-1 up and on the way to an away win

Three goals in the final 15 minutes destroyed The Island Tauranga City's day in the Northern Football League on Saturday.

Leading their away day encounter with Auckland's Waitemata FC 3-1 after 75 minutes a fourth win in five was starting to feel like a distinct possibility for the sky blues.

By the final whistle, however, aided by a touch of good fortune, the home side had achieved an extraordinary turnaround. City were left with a very long and silent drive home, pondering what could have been.

Tauranga Boys' College student Riley Bidois opened the scoring on 22 minutes when Josh Nelson slipped a quick free kick in behind the Waitemata defence. Finding himself one on one with the keeper he showed composure beyond his years to finish with ease.

The lead lasted 10 minutes, as Waitemata got the first of their two penalties after a shot hit the hand of central defender Ray How, but was restored just before the break.

With Bidois continuing to make life difficult for the home defence City got the chance to return the favour from the penalty spot. The Waitemata keeper was forced to bring him down as he broke again into the box, and City had their nose back in front as Joaquin Reynoso put it away.

The sky blues looked good value for their lead as the match recommenced. Midfield partners Andy Carter and Dean Lydon continued their solid work finding Shane Hope in space out wide, with support from behind from Nathan Farey and Andy Smith.

The control they were able to exert on proceedings paid off as Josh Nelson gave them a measure of comfort 12 minutes into the second spell. He was first to read a poor back pass and found the net past the hapless Waitemata keeper.

That, however, was the point City's good fortune clocked off.

A contentious penalty in the 75th minute gave the home side a massive lift. Five minutes later they were level as they threw everything forward chasing the game.

It was a risky strategy for the home side but paid off as City were unable to capitalise on a number of chances to counter attack, and had even a deserved point snatched away from them as Waitemata found the net a fourth time with the clock ticking over 90 minutes.

The loss leaves City ninth on the Northern League division one table on 20 points, with Waitemata moving back above them by a point. To add to their pain three other clubs around them picked up wins, leaving the lower reaches of the table highly congested.

This Saturday they return to their Links Ave home looking to get back into the winning groove against fourth-placed Forest Hill Milford. Kickoff is 3pm.

You may also like....

0 comments

Leave a Comment


You must be logged in to make a comment.