It was a very even battle when league leaders Katikati came to play Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers on Saturday.
Katikati opened brightly, putting together the better football for the opening ten minutes. Rangers then got their game going with some flowing moves and put pressure on the visiting defence. A handball in front of the Katikati goal brought Rangers a penalty. Captain Christian Wetting stepped up and converted the chance well. The competitiveness of the two teams was apparent across the park with both teams pushing for the advantage. Rangers had their noses in front for the rest of the half with some good midfield possession, striker James Krause holding the ball up well and right winger Cameron Wills making a couple of telling runs to launch attacks.
In the second half Katikati renewed their efforts, putting the acid on the Rangers defence. Keeper John Noblett earned player of the day for Rangers with a sound game between the sticks, but he could do nothing to keep out the penalty the visitors were awarded. Midway through the half Katikati took the lead, when they pressurised the Rangers defence and took the opportunity to score. Rangers did their best to find an equaliser. Wills turned beautifully to open up the defence, but his shot came off the inside of the post, and rolled across the face of goal and was cleared. Wetting had a header flash across goal, but Katikati held on for a 2 - 1 win.
The visitors conceded that the game could have gone either way, but they were happy to take the points.
This week Rangers have another tough game, away against third placed Otumoetai.