Football: Cooper shows class with four goals

Andrew Cooper has come from Federation One to score 22 goals in the Northern Region Division Two competition for Tauranga City United. Photo / George Novak

Andrew Cooper turned Tauranga City United's competition clinching victory over Claudelands Rovers at Links Ave into a personal showcase on Sunday.

One goal would likely have been enough for the home side to confirm itself as winners of Division Two.

Cooper poured in four - three in the first half - to put an exclamation mark on an incredible rise to prominence after switching from Old Blues to the Blues at the beginning of the season.

His 22 goals are two more than second-highest scorer Jerahl Hughes' 20, and based on last season's squad he must now be seen as a viable option for the WaiBOP United side for the ASB Premiership season.

The pace was there for all to see, and he was clearly better than most players around him in Federation One, but questions followed about whether he had the ability to get the most out of his talent.

In retrospect some of his quality was likely obscured by the tricky surface of Wharepai Domain, but Cooper himself admits to being surprised at just how well he has gone against superior competition this season.

"I'd been told by a few people ... Grant Turner pushed me a lot and I had Duncan Lowry as well when I played at Matamata ... but I didn't think I'd do as well," he said.

"It's pretty good. I couldn't have asked for more I don't think."

He hoped imports Jerahl Hughes and captain Sam O'Regan would commit to the club next season.

"I think I'll stay around for next year if the boys stay together.

"They're a good bunch of lads. From what I know I think they are staying, so it will be good."

Blues coach Lowry was delighted with Cooper's contribution and said it was good to see him enjoying his football.

"I knew he [had it in him] because I had him over at Matamata twice," Lowry said.

"There's not many footballers you'd give a second chance to - and I actually gave him a third chance - and he's come up trumps.

"When Jack McNab left he had a big pair of boots to fill and he's filled them comfortably."

Sunday marked the first time since 2001 that Tauranga City had won the Division Two competition.

The last time it was the side's reserve grade side that lifted the silverware.

That sort of depth is the long-term goal and hopes are high at the club that they can give Division One a real shake next season.

If club officials can keep their imports and the spine of the team intact, and perhaps add a player or two to increase options and potency in the midfield, they might just get their wish.