It was a thrilling extra time battle of attrition, when Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers hosted Otumoetai in the Bay Sportsmed Cup on Saturday.
Rangers started slowly, with a slightly rearranged formation taking time to click into gear. Rangers defence, had to work hard to keep the visitors at bay. Finally, after half an hour Rangers got some fluency. Captain Ben McPherson was put through but he hit the crossbar with his shot. A minute later Ben Howe had a similar chance but he put it over the top. At half time the game was 0 - 0, but coach Richie Nillesen was not pleased. His words shook Rangers into life.
Rangers won a series of corners in the second half, but couldn't capitalise. Otumoetai hung in there, and after twenty minutes forced Rangers' keeper Christian Wetting into an excellent fingertip save. Rangers put the pressure on. Jaiden Ibbetson put a shot over the bar. A good flick on from player of the day John Stephen gave McPherson a chance, but his goalbound effort was well saved by the Otumoetai keeper. Otumoetai hit the post with Wetting beaten. The ninety minutes ended with the game still scoreless.
Extra time followed, both sides had players suffering with cramp and exhaustion. With five minutes to go, Rangers looked to have won it. Ibbetson made a lung bursting run down the left and whipped a great ball across, McPherson beat the defence to bury it in the net. However, the visitors never gave up hope and with the game almost up, they were awarded a penalty when the ball bounced up and hit a Rangers defender on the arm. The goal was scored to make a 1 - 1 final score and the game went to a penalty shoot out. Wetting had had an excellent game, and made two saves, and scored himself, but Otumoetai won the shoot out to go through to the next round of the cup.
Rangers will need to pick themselves up quickly because they face the same opponents, away in a league game this Saturday.
On Sunday the Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers women's team traveled to play Tauranga City United. Rangers put in a very good first half effort, but lost their combinations a bit in the second half. They did not get much change out of the referee, with a number of decisions going against them. Rangers forced quite a few corners without success, but the home team took the game 6 - 0 in the end. Pocket rocket Gillian Green was player of the day, other to stand out included defender Mary Collier and Renee Anderson. This Sunday Rangers' women will look forward to their home game with Kawerau Town. Kick off at Awakeri will be at 12.30pm.