It was a good week for the Plains Rangers Football Club. On Thursday night Rangers trained for the first time under their new lights at the Awakeri Sports field. The Eastern Bay Energy Trust provided funding for the much anticipated floodlights. This gives the club access to indoor and outdoor training facilities.
On Saturday Plains Rangers were at home to Rotorua United in BOP division two. The home team started slowly, a contrast to their good performance the previous week. However, after half an hour the play started to click. Tiemen Corporaal junior almost scored with a flying header, but the ball came out to Ben McPherson, who turned well to hit in a good strike from 20 metres. Five minutes later the ball was headed on to Jaiden Ibbetson, playing his last game for Rangers, who volleyed the ball home sweetly. At half time Rangers led 2 – 0 but player-coach Christian Wetting was not happy with the performance and reminded his troops of the game plan.
Straight after the break Hamish Wilde hit the woodwork as Rangers got straight onto the attack. Two minutes later Ibbetson provided a sweeping cross from the left picking, out McPherson, who headed it home with an excellent finish. Ten minutes later the game was all but over. Ibbetson was again the provider with a beautifully judged pass that sent McPherson through on goal. He drew the keeper and scored.
Late in the game Rangers added the icing to the cake. An Ali Scott shot was well saved by the Rotorua keeper, but Tiemen Corporaal senior managed to get the outside of his foot to the rebound and steer it over the defenders into the net. The final score was Plains Rangers 5, Rotorua United 0.
Defender Bastian Berger was named player of the day. With he and Jaiden Ibbetson departing for pastures new, Rangers will need to regroup to continue their good run of form.
This Saturday Rangers are away to the high flying Tauranga City team.