Football: Ngongotaha go on shooting spree

Ngongotaha have moved into second on the ladder. Pictured is Ngongotaha player Conor Hinz. Photo / Stephen Parker

Ngongotaha have moved into second place on the ladder in the WaiBOP Premiership with a 5-1 win over Tauranga Boys' College.

Ngongotaha enjoyed a goal spree on Saturday in Tauranga, led by Josh O'Sullivan who scored a hat-trick.

With plenty of games still to come this season the Rotorua club are now the main challengers to try and catch league-leaders Cambridge.

Ngongotaha's next big assignment will be staged this coming Saturday against cross-town rivals Rotorua United at Neil Hunt Park.

Rotorua United have enjoyed a great run of form in recent rounds and were aiming for their fourth straight win on Saturday.

However, they could only manage a 0-0 draw against Tauranga Old Blues away.

United coach Rich Barter will no doubt be pleased with his side's defence of late, conceding only one goal during their past four matches.

Meanwhile, leaders Cambridge scored a come-from-behind 3-1 victory over Matamata Swifts at the weekend, extending their lead at the top of the WaiBOP Premiership.

The Swifts began strong and took the lead after seven minutes when Andrew Clothier beat Fraser Nicholls from distance.

Things should have got worse for Cambridge just after the quarter hour, but a crude two-footed lunge from Ben Latham only resulted in a yellow card and from there Cambridge found their feet, and created the most openings over the final hour.

Robbie Greenhalgh restored parity from the penalty spot five minutes before half time, then ex-Swift Glen Carmichael raced through with 10 minutes remaining to calmly put Cambridge in front with a cool finish.

The hosts scored their third two minutes into injury time through a fine Jason Szabo hit from distance.

In the other games, Melville United's title hopes took a dive after they lost the Hamilton derby 2-1 at Waikato Unicol.

Katikati completed a premiership double over Tauranga City United with a comfortable 4-1 victory at Links Ave and SGS Papamoa battled out a goalless draw with Otumoetai.