A poor first ten minutes cost Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers dearly on Saturday. Rangers were at home to Taupo Lakers in the BOP first division. The Awakeri pitch was in good condition and the scene was set for a competitive game. However, the visitors started out well and caught Rangers out with a goal after five minutes. The welcome return of Christian Wetting as keeper for Rangers almost prevented a second goal five minutes later. He tipped a well struck free kick onto the bar but a Taupo striker was quickest to react and put away the rebound. Taupo were playing some good football, but finally the home team got into gear. After fifteen minutes a Sam McPherson corner was headed strongly into the Taupo goal by Hamish Wilde and the game was on. Both teams played some good football through the midfield, with Rangers using their pace to cause problems. Just before half time Matt Dalgity had the ball in the net for the home team, but the off side flag was up.
A quick break immediately after half time again caught out the Rangers defence and Wetting did well to get a hand to the shot but it went in. The see-saw battle continued. Midway through the half the Rangers team was appealing loudly for hand ball after a defender appeared to stop a cross with his hand, but play was waved on. However, five minutes later, referee Norm Howe spotted another deliberate handball by a Taupo defender and awarded Rangers a penalty. Captain Ben McPherson converted it. The entertainment continued non stop. Taupo looked like they had scord again with ten minutes to go, but Rangers player-coach Kirk Bain appeared out of nowhere to clear the ball off the line. In the final minutes Ben McPherson had another chance to gain a deserved draw but scuffed his shot, leaving Taupo to hang on for a 3 - 2 win.
The game was played in good spirit by both teams and kept the spectators well entertained. Ben McPherson was Rangers player of the day after a whole hearted performance.
This Saturday Rangers have a difficult game, the away trip to play Tauranga City Relics. They will try and improve on the 6 - 0 first round loss. Rangers women, who had no game this weekend, also travel to play Tauranga City on the Sunday.