Football: Promotion joy for City supporters

MAESTRO: Jerahl Hughes heads in Tauranga City's third goal, and his 21st of the season, against Mangere United.

Belvedere Tauranga City United clinched promotion to the Northern Premier League with a memorable 4-0 win over Mangere United at Links Ave on Saturday afternoon.

Tauranga went into the final two matches of the season having to make up a 10-goal differential to steal the final promotion spot from North Shore United. After a 6-0 win last Saturday, Tauranga had to beat Mangere by four clear goals and, despite the odd tense moment in defence, they held their composure in front of goal to deliver the dream.

Two goals in each half were enough to earn the return of Premier league football to the pristine pitch at Links Ave for the first time in 10 years. But this was no easy romp for the blues, as Mangere defended valiantly throughout.

With the score still 0-0 after 30 minutes, the tension in the good-sized crowd was palpable, until Andrew Cooper settled nerves with a peach of a shot for the opener. The difference for Tauranga all season has been the inventive attacking play of Jerahl Hughes and the league's leading goal scorer took his tally to 21 with goals either side of halftime for a 3-0 lead.

The magical fourth goal came in the 63rd minute from schoolboy sub Strauss Boom and then it was a matter of holding on. The final whistle was greeted with emotional scenes as players, coaching staff and fans celebrated.

Head coach Duncan Lowry wrote in the match day programme that: "Tauranga has been a sleeping giant and it's only now that we are starting to awake." His passion for the role and ability to get the best out of his players has been crucial in achieving promotion.

Hughes admits Mangere were a dangerous side on the break and at no stage felt it was certain until the final whistle.

Keeping him will be a key role for the club's administrators post-season but Hughes says he has no reason to leave.

"I've got nowhere to go now. We're in the top league now and I am looking forward to next year already."

One man who deserves as much recognition as the players is club chairman Mark Bougen, who epitomises everything that is good about grassroots sport.

"This finishes a dream that started a few years ago and Duncan is the man who has delivered it for us," Bougen said. "We have brought premier football back to the Bay of Plenty and we showed this year against Eastern Suburbs [Chatham Cup] we can fit it in the Premier grade.

"It is going to give an opportunity now for the players in the region. We are not stopping there - National League is next."

Belvedere Tauranga City United 4 (Andrew Cooper 30' Jerahl Hughes 42', 50' Strauss Boom 63') Mangere United 0.