There was no luck available for SLH Contracting Plains Rangers when they travelled to play Old Blues in BOP division two on Saturday. Rangers started well, with some good passing moves down the left where Jordan Ogilvy and Jaiden Ibbetson combined very well. However, the home team opened the scoring after fifteen minutes when a free kick ended up in the back of the net. When Rangers passed the ball around, they looked very good. Late in the half Rangers were on top, a Christian Wetting shot went close. The dangerous Ibbetson was fouled and Mike Johnstone's long range free kick hit the crossbar.
After the break the Rangers onslaught continued. Ibbetson shot narrowly wide. A Johnstone shot was almost turned in by Ogilvy. Wetting had a shot blocked, the ball cannoning into a defender's arm. Rangers had a succession of corners. Wetting got a powerful header to one of them which beat the keeper but was cleared off the line. Somehow Old Blues survived and they hung on to record a 1 – 0 win.
Player of the day for Rangers was left back Ali Scott, with Wetting and Ibbetson also in top form. Rangers will hope for more luck when they host Kawerau Sports on Monday. Kick off at Awakeri is at 2.30pm.