Football: Slick hat trick overcomes Blues slow start

Colm Kenny scored all three goals in Tauranga City's 3-1 win over Metro on Saturday.

A hat trick from Colm Kenny gave Belvedere Tauranga City United a 3-1 win over Metro and cemented second place in the hunt for a promotion spot in the Northern League First Division.

In Auckland, the Blues were slow to start again and were caught out in the 27th minute when two free headers in the box resulted in Metro's Jonathon Vanneste heading his side in front.

Stung by the goal, the visitors knuckled down but it took them to nearly the end of the half to break down the home defence. A great interplay in the 40th minute between Jerahl Hughes and Josh Nelson, who was playing more forward for this match, resulted in a slotted pass to Kenny to fire home.

A minute after the interval Kenny doubled his tally - this time the build-up coming from a fine run and lofted pass from Blues defender Phillip Fletcher. Kenny chested down the high ball, controlled it and volleyed virtually in one motion, giving the keeper no chance.

With the lead, Tauranga kept up the pressure and dominated the second spell.

A couple of chances went begging before Kenny completed his hat track. Again it was Hughes and Nelson who mesmerised the Metro defence with a slick one-two move, resulting in a pin point cross for Kenny to ram home.

It was a confident display from the Blues. Hughes showed again just what a class player he is and Nelson had by far his best game of the season.

This is a side always capable of creating chances.

The only priority for coach Duncan Lowry is to work on rectifying their slow starts.