Football: Promotion hopes still alive

Jerahl Hughes was on target again for Tauranga City United in their 3-1 win away at North Shore United bringing his season total to 16. Photo / Bob Ricketts

An impressive 3-1 away win at North Shore United on Sunday has kept Tauranga City United's promotion hopes alive.

Game postponements earlier in the season means Tauranga are now six points behind North Shore, who are second in the Northern League First Division, but have two games in hand on their rivals.

North Shore will complete their season's fixtures against Mangere United next weekend while Tauranga travel to Waiuku.

"The ideal situation would be if North Shore and Mangere United draw next weekend," said Tauranga head coach Duncan Lowry.

Even then Tauranga would need to win all three of their remaining games as North Shore have a far superior goal difference.

Tauranga's first goal on Sunday came in the fifth minute from a typical Jerahl Hughes raid down the right to get the better of his marker and then fire into the net.

Hughes turned provider in the 29th minute when he took a free kick that was guided into the net by Raymond How. The third goal came six minutes from halftime when the returning Jordan Culpepper scored from a corner.

"(North Shore) played five defenders with one up front," said Lowry.

"Their shape made it easy for us because, as they pushed players up to win balls, they were leaving space at the back."

Hughes' pace meant he was able to exploit that space.

After a weekend off, Lowry was pleased with the way his players responded.

"Their attitude was back. With the next three games, who knows what's going to happen."

With Waiuku sitting next to bottom, Lowry is wary of taking them too lightly.

Sunday's game saw 17-year-old Bethlehem College student Strauss Boom make his first appearance for Tauranga, taking the field as a second half substitute.