Soccer: City's dream run shattered

Jack McNab scored both Tauranga City goals in the 3-2 loss to Fencibles United. Photo / George Novak

Tauranga City's remarkable late home run of 10 wins from their last 11 games came to a disappointing end on Sunday at Links Ave when they lost 3-2 to Fencibles United.

The win meant the Pakuranga club join Tauranga City in third place on the Northern region Division 2 table but, more importantly, ended Tauranga's last hopes of a late dart for promotion.

The result should have gone Tauranga's way but, despite dominating the second half and creating far more likely chances, they have only themselves to blame for the defensive lapses that leaked the three goals.

Goalkeeper Tom Pamment has had a fine season and started the game well with a well timed block from Fencibles' best player Jayden Henry, but his day got steadily worse as the game wore on.

He could not be blamed for Fencibles' first goal from a header by Peter Jones that tied the game up 1-1 but the next two he probably would like to forget.

A looping ball over the back four looked harmless enough but Pamment over-committed outside his area and was left stranded as Zane Christianson reacted quickly to score.

Worse was to come when cheeky winger Paulio Montino spotted Pamment off his line from fully 40 metres out and sent the ball into the top left corner.

To Tauranga's credit, they played their best football trailing 3-1 and it was no surprise that the league's top scorer Jack McNab kept his composure in the box to stroke the ball past the keeper.

Earlier in the second half, McNab had opened the scoring with a superbly timed jump and header between two defenders from an inch perfect cross from the right touchline by McNabb's WaiBop United teammate Josh Nelson.

Tauranga had the best of the final 10 minutes of frenetic action but the finishing from his teammates lacked McNab's sharpness and focus.

At least the second half was lively and produced plenty of goalmouth action and five goals, after a turgid first half that was blighted by poor ball control and aimless passing.

The loss takes the gloss of what has been a fine middle to end of the season for Tauranga City after they started with four losses and a draw in their opening nine matches.

The squad have plenty of depth and talent, so if coach Duncan Lowry can retain most of the players over the summer into next season then they will be definite promotion contenders.

McNab's two goals took his season tally to 28 and he is seemingly assured of winning the prestigious Golden Boot Award as the league's top scorer with one game left to play.

He began the game on 26 goals, with Mangere United's Mario Hofmann back on 20 and his teammate Ernesto Lopez with 18 goals.

Tauranga City 2 (Jack McNab 2) Fencibles United 3 (Peter Jones, Zane Christianson, Paulio Montino) Halftime 0-0.