Football: Bream Bay grab opening-round win over Tikipunga

Tikipunga's Blake Moorhouse tries to hold on to possession as Bream Bay defenders swarm. Photo / John Stone

Bream Bay have kicked off their 2018 Northland Premier campaign on the right note as they beat Tikipunga 3-0.

The visitors managed to strike at the right times to hold off an impressive Tikipunga outfit who, for long periods of the fixture, looked to be the better side.

But it was Bream Bay who opened the scoring through an pinpoint long-range strike from Kevin Mooney within the first five minutes.

Bream Bay's first and second goals were juxtaposed by an elongated period of midfield warfare.

Both Tikipunga and Bream Bay looked likely to find the back of the net but came up short on multiple occasions despite their best efforts.

The game looked to be heading to the break with a 1-0 scoreline but a defensive error from Tikipunga off a Bream Bay cross led to an own goal to double the visitors' lead right before the break.

Tikipunga came out with great intent in the second spell knowing they needed an early strike to get back into the contest.

Again they looked the more likely side in the back and forth but their ability to finish evaded them.

Frustration threatened to boil over as they searched for a vital goal but it was Bream Bay who capitalised on an attacking raid as Jordan Rudman, who impressed throughout the match, scored a well-deserved goal.

Tikipunga chased a late goal but were unable to do so, however they could leave the ground knowing they put themselves in great positions throughout the contest.

Meanwhile Kerikeri were too good for their Kamo counterparts as they grabbed a decisive 3-0 victory.

Kerikeri were keen to avenge a narrow 2-1 loss to Kamo in the season-opening Charity Cup match in Kaikohe and managed to do so convincingly.