There was a long trip for little reward on Saturday, when Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers traveled to play Taupo A. In goal Rangers had their fifth different keeper this season, Adam Mayor. In front of him was a rearranged line-up. Rangers had the first chance, with a John Stephen header going just wide. However, a lack of combinations led to an early Taupo goal. The home team played a good brand of quick passing football through the midfield and kept the pressure up. After twenty minutes they extended their lead. Before half time the Rangers keeper had to come out of his area to deal with a break away, but ended up bringing down the striker and was sent off. At half time Rangers were down 2 - 0 and down a player.
Rangers regrouped at half time, determined to be hard to break down. Five minutes into the second half, the determination was showing when stand-in skipper Matt Dalgity stopped a full blooded shot with his head. Rangers held their shape well and were a bit unlucky to concede, when after 25 minutes Hamish Wilde pulled off a good save in goal only for a Taupo player to pounce on the rebound and score. Shortly afterwards, a great Rangers shot was tipped onto the post by the Taupo keeper. With only five minutes left an excellent strike from 25 metres gave Taupo a 4 - 0 final score.
John Stephen was named player of the day. Others in top form were Joel Ogilvy and Kirk Bain. This week Rangers men do not have a game. But they will look towards the following week when the other Taupo team travels to meet them at Awakeri.
Unfortunately, Plains Rangers women had to default their game away to top of the league Rotorua United on Sunday. Hopefully they will have a full squad available to play Te Puke this coming week. This was a game they had a creditable draw in, in the first round.