Plains Rangers men travelled to play Rotorua United in the Bay Sportsmed Bowl on Saturday. Wet, cold and windy conditions saw the game transferred to Boord Park. Missing several players, Rangers won the toss and elected to have to strong wind and rain behind them. The home team got off to a good start though, scoring the opener. Rangers bounced back, pressure causing a Rotorua player to handle in the area. Barrie Hawkes stepped up to convert the penalty with aplomb. Rotorua came back with another goal. A good team move brought Rangers another equaliser, this time through Jacob Heath with a good shot from twenty metres. After thirty minutes stand-in goalkeeper Matt Dalgity couldn't hold a shot in the miserable conditions and Rotorua pounced back. Rangers almost replied immediately with a good Tiemen Corporaal header bouncing off the woodwork. At Half time Rotorua led 3 – 2.
After the break Rangers played their best football of the match, passing the ball around well for twenty minutes. In that time Matt Orr-McKeown also crashed a shot against the crossbar. Substitute Jason Shaw put a header just over after a great run from defence and a cross by Kirk Bain. Late in the game Rotorua resorted to launching high balls, wind assisted, downfield and their speedy strikers capitalised twice to blow the score out. Rotorua United 5, Plains Rangers 2.
A mounting injury toll with be a worry for Rangers as they head back to league action next week, with several players in doubt. Player of the day Kirk Bain was one, after a lion hearted performance. Others to impress included James Hart and Tiemen Corporaal.
This Saturday Rangers are at home to Kawerau Town, with a 2 pm kick off.
On Sunday Rangers women's game with Taupo was postponed due to pitch conditions.