Colm Kenny and Nathan Farey celebrate Tauranga City's Chatham Cup victory.
Colm Kenny and Nathan Farey celebrate Tauranga City's Chatham Cup victory.
Tauranga City United have booked a place in the fourth round of the Chatham Cup, following a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Melville United in Hamilton on Saturday.
Northern League 1st Division Tauranga were up against Premier League opponents. However, it didn't show as the visitors started with solid intentions.
Despitethis, and against the run of play, Melville took the lead in the 14th minute, when a needless foul in the box saw the home team gifted a penalty. Welsh import Marc Evans gave Blues 'keeper Tom Pamment no chance from the spot, much to the delight of the home crowd.
Tauranga's reply came 11 minutes later when, following some good build up work down the right hand side, the ball found its way to City striker Colm Kenny. He collected the ball, his back towards the goal, and then expertly turned his defender and unleashed a shot that whistled past the 'keeper into the left hand side of the goal.
After this the game became an exciting end-to-end affair, with both sides mounting attacks, but the defensive setups of each nullified any serious attempts on goal. The Blues backline of captain Raymond How, Sam Nahna, Nathan Farey and George Tighe worked together superbly to keep Melville out.
With the scores level at halftime, it appeared whoever scored next could take the tie and this is exactly how it transpired. Ten minutes after the restart, Tauranga got forward and Jordan Culpepper was unlucky to see his shot deflect off the post. More was to follow as, in an effort to reach the deflected ball, he was fouled in the box by Melville's captain Aaron Scott, leaving referee Bruce Horrox no other choice than to point to the spot.
Sammy Nahna was man of the match for Tauranga City in their Chatham Cup win over Melville on Saturday. Photo/Supplied
Up stepped Tauranga's Jerahl Hughes, but his shot was saved by Melville's keeper Jason Mann. However, it didn't finish there as the linesman indicated to Horrox that Mann had been in front of the goal line when the penalty was taken, so a retake was ordered. This time Hughes made no mistake.
Following the goal, Tauranga went off the boil, allowing their hosts to mount attack after attack. A series of corners had the Blues pinned back, leading to tense times on the City bench and in the stands. The Blues defensive line held strong, restricting Melville to long range efforts.
At the full time whistle there were hugs all around for a job well done and now they await the fourth round draw later today to see who they face next.
This Sunday the Blues resume their 1st Division programme with a home game against Mt Albert-Ponsonby.
