Football: City fight back to claim 2-2 draw

Jerahl Hughes scored Tauranga City's equalising goal against Mt Albert Ponsonby on Saturday. Photo / File

Tauranga City United battled back from two goals down to snatch a 2-2 away draw against Mt Albert Ponsonby in the Northern League division one on Saturday.

The match was targeted by Tauranga coach Duncan Lowry as a three-pointer with Tauranga riding high in third place and Mt Albert Ponsonby in last place.

But as a reminder that no team in this league can be taken lightly, the hosts dominated the first half. They were by far the more aggressive and committed while the Blues were surprisingly standoffish.

Mt Albert Ponsonby's Malcolm McRae put his side one up before halftime. Tim Hayhow doubled the lead just after the restart and it was not until the final 25 minutes that Tauranga started to play like they can.

A goalmouth scramble resulted in their first goal from Campbell Higgins following good work from Jerahl Hughes.

Then shortly after Tauranga were awarded a free kick just outside the area that Colm Kenny stepped up to take. He slotted the ball to Hughes to smash home.

In the final 10 minutes Tauranga battered the home defence in search of a winner.

The match was overall a scrappy affair, played on a wet and holding pitch and was punctuated by the issuing of 10 yellow cards, four to Tauranga.

Lowry was disappointed with his side's poor first-half performance but pleased they came back to grab a share of the points, something at halftime he would have grabbed with open arms.

Today they are off to Auckland again to take on ninth-placed Takapuna.

Meanwhile, AFC Fury had a player sent off in the second minute on Saturday in a Northern League division two clash against Te Atatu at Modcom Park, Te Puna.

Referee Gordon Campbell flashed a red card to midfielder Dave Molloy with the West Aucklanders holding on for a 2-1 victory.

Te Atatu were able to capitalise with two first-half goals but could not pierce the Fury rearguard in the second stanza.

Matias Bartolozzi scored in the second half to bring some hope for the Fury.

"We had several near misses but no cigar," said Fury mentor David Cook. Fury take on their longest road trip to Whangarei today to play third-placed North Force.

Fury are ninth on the table after two wins from their opening six games.