Football: Tauranga City on a high

BONJOUR TAURANGA: New signing Simon Millet from France had a dream debut for Tauranga City United in yesterday's 4-1 win. PHOTO/GEORGE NOVAK 190715GN24BOP

An emphatic 4-1 victory over Ellerslie has reignited Belvedere Tauranga City United's promotion aspirations.

The win at Links Avenue moves Tauranga to just a point behind third-placed Ellerslie with a game in hand, and four points behind North Shore, who occupy the second automatic promotion place to the Northern Premier division.

Coach Duncan Lowry's team put last Sunday's Chatham Cup disappointment behind them with an assured display of finishing that left the well-performed Aucklanders wondering how they could contribute so much to the opening 45 minutes but be 3-0 down at the break.

Captain Ray How started the fun after eight minutes with a superb first time volley that any striker would be proud of, before the attacking magician Jerahl Hughes stroked in his 12th league goal of the season to go equal in the Northern league First Division Golden Boot competition.

Just before the halftime break, Hughes managed to sneak around the Ellerslie defence to set up striker Colm Kenny for number three and his ninth of the campaign.

Tauranga's fourth goal came in the 54th minute and it was a fitting reward for a memorable debut from new signing Simon Millet. The young Frenchman, looks accomplished on the left wing and he finished well after a fine pass from Josh Nelson.

Ellerslie had their moments in the second spell, forcing goalkeeper Tom Pamment to make some good stops.

Eventually he was beaten for a consolation goal.

Next week they travel to play bottom club Ngaruawahia who have just two wins all season.

Tauranga coach Lowry was rightly pleased with the convincing 4-1 victory over a side that defeated his team earlier in the season.

"I am very happy considering they are one of the two teams that have taken three points off us this season. Nice to get a bit of revenge and especially with games in hand we keep everyone honest up top," Lowry said.

The debut performance by Millet was another pleasing factor for Lowry.

"He arrived here about three months ago and he had two weeks with us training. I wanted him more than he wanted us. He was travelling with his girlfriend and I phoned him two weeks before the transfer deadline. I lose three players soon so I signed three more. "He is special player because he is left footed and there are very few of them that come to the club."

Belvedere Tauranga City United 4 (Ray How 8' Jerahl Hughes 20' Colm Kenny 45' Simon Millet 54') Ellerslie 1 (Josh Anthony 74')