WaiBOP United, in the guise at times of Tauranga City United, have opened their account in the ASB Premiership with a 3-1 win over Wanderers SC at Mount Maunganui's Links Avenue.
The comfortable win was badly needed after a stilted beginning to the season featuring byes and one-goal losses to Canterbury United and Team Wellington, and it was a familiar duo who set them on their way in the opening 10 minutes.
Tauranga City United skipper Sam O'Regan set Links Avenue alight after just three minutes when he powered in a header from a well-placed corner. Seven minutes later a clever run down the right from fellow Tauranga City standout Jerahl Hughes ended in a cutback and powerful left-footed Chad Coombes strike from just outside the area.
The home side failed to make further opportunities count in a first half in which the Wanderers, featuring a collection of the best under-19 talent in the country, slowly began to find their feet.
The two-goal advantage lasted until just after the hour mark when Liam Higgins finished off a move which saw Coombes and Federico Marquez combine well.