Playing at home was a good tonic for Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers when they hosted Old Blues on Saturday.
Rangers were coming off the back of three away games in a row and they played strongly from the outset. After ten minutes James Hart belted a free kick which cannoned off the crossbar. Soon after, a Jaiden Ibbetson shot flashed across goal, but Rangers soon got the lead. Left back Jordan Ogilvy latched onto a clearance and fired in a great goal from 25 metres. A Ben McPherson volley went over the top, and then Andy Brabant scored with another good strike from the midfield. It looked like Rangers were going to cruise to victory, but they took their foot off the pedal late in the half.
A good stir up from coach Richie Nillesen at half time brought Rangers back to playing the good football they had started the game with. However, Old Blues also upped their game and it was a good tussle. Ibbetson, James Krause and McPherson all had good chances for Rangers but the scored stayed at 2 - 0 until late. In the final minutes of the game, which had been well refereed by Neil McCready, Rangers won a corner. Keeper Christian Wetting decided to come forward and delighted his team mates and the Rangers supporters by bundling the cross into the net. The final score was Plains Rangers 3, Old Blues 0.
Kyle Knight was named player of the day for a good constructive game at right back. This Saturday Rangers are at home again, this time to local rivals, top of the table Whakatane Town. It promises to be a good contest.