Football: Striker's departure hardly missed

Tauranga City United skipper Sam O'Regan, in action here against Oratia United, scored one of his side's 13 goals over the long weekend. Photo/George Novak

Belvedere Group Tauranga City United do not seem to be missing the services of departed striker Jack McNab.

The sample size - comfortable wins in a league match against struggling Claudelands Rovers and a Chatham Cup tie with limited Lynn Avon - is too small to draw any lasting conclusions, but it is at the very least an encouraging sign that the side's attack is not sputtering without their regular target man.

Saturday's 5-0 romp against Rovers, featuring a hat-trick from Andrew Cooper, kept the side on top of the Northern League Second Division table but it was Sunday's dismissal of Lynn Avon to reach the third round of the Chatham Cup that promises most.

The two sides met two weeks ago at Links Ave, with the Blues well below their best in prevailing 2-0.

Coach Duncan Lowry was disappointed with that effort, but cut a much happier figure following first half goals to Mark van der Salm (2), Sam O'Regan, Andrew Cooper and Nathan Farey on Monday.

"I'm on a bit of a high to be honest," Lowry said.

"To score 15 goals and concede none in three games is a great effort.

"Without Jack we knew people would be looking at us and pointing the finger, but Andrew Cooper has filled Jack's boots very well."

Cooper twice had stints under Lowry at Matamata before signing to play for Old Blues under Grant Turner last year, and impressed the former All Whites midfielder with his pace and attacking instincts.

In the offseason Turner told Lowry that Cooper was too good to be playing in the WaiBOP competition, facilitating his move to Links Avenue to form a potent attacking force alongside McNab and English import Jerahl Hughes.

Connor Taylor, Jack Chaney and Josh Nelson underlined the side's balanced, possession-based attacking structure by adding second half goals in the 8-0 dismantling of Lynn Avon in a match in which goalkeeper James Pamment was reduced to a virtual spectator.