There was some entertaining football for Plains Rangers over the weekend, but without the results of last week.
On Saturday, SLH Contracting Plains Rangers men travelled to play Ngongotaha. Rangers almost got off to the perfect start, winning a corner from the kick off and James Hart crashed a header off the crossbar. However, the home team knew how to use the steady tail wind, long balls put their speedy forwards away to pressurize the Rangers defence. In the first ten minutes, Ngongotaha scored twice to have Rangers reeling.
To their credit, Rangers kept at trying to play their passing game and create their own opportunities. After half an hour, there was reward. A nice ball from Jaiden Ibbetson put Hart though on goal. His shot was saved by the keeper, but Ben Sexton followed up to put the ball in the net.
At half time, the score was 2 - 1. Rangers started the second half well, with some good link up play. However, their luck was not in. A great run from centre back Mike Johnstone had him halted inside the Ngongotaha area, but a quick counter attack had the home team score within seconds. Ngongotaha held onto their lead with a gritty display, including chopping down Jamaal James when he was heading goalward.
The final score Ngongotaha 3, Plains Rangers 1. Player of the day was defender Mark Jeynes. Rangers will hope to get back on track this Saturday when they host the league leaders Taupo at Awakeri.
Plains Rangers women started off slowly at Papamoa on Sunday. Finding their feet took a while and Papamoa scored a couple of goals. After that Rangers kept good positioning and held Papamoa off for the rest of the first half. In the second half they let slip again, giving Papamoa plenty of chances to score. Tracy Pullar did some awesome work in goal again, saving plenty of shots. Sarah Boyce again played very well in the back line, putting her body on the line and clearing the ball well. Macca Mathis did a great job in the mid field again. The player of the day went to Janie Soutar for her awesome work and tackling in the mid field. The final score was 13 - 0 to Papamoa.
This Sunday Rangers women are at home to Whakatane.