Damp, muddy conditions greeted Plains Rangers men when they travelled to play Papamoa NKOTB on Saturday. Rangers started the game in good style, using some good passing to put pressure on the home team. After ten minutes Rangers gained the advantage. Levi McIntyre was fouled just outside the Papamoa penalty area. Christian Wetting ran in a decoy from the free kick and Rangers' captain Jimmy Hart curled the kick into the top corner of the net. Five minutes later another foul led to Hamish Wilde blasting a free kick home and Rangers started to feel comfortable. However, this led to some of the fluidity of play being lost and Papamoa grew in confidence. Midway through the half Papamoa were awarded a disputed penalty and gained a goal back. At half time Rangers led 2 – 1 and realised they needed to up the quality of their play.
Christian Wetting went close to a goal, flicking on a back header from a freekick that went narrowly wide. Rangers kept the pressure on and Hart grabbed his second goal, belting in a rebound. The action was unrelenting in the final period of the game. Elijah Wetting came out of goal and used his speed to score an excellent solo goal, beating several players in his run from deep. Two minutes later, Papamoa were awarded another disputed penalty, but blasted the chance wide. Rangers came back with a slick short passing move that ended with Hart scoring a nice goal to complete his hat-trick. In the final minutes, Rangers' defender Teimana Awhimate was fouled when up on attack, to give Rangers yet another free-kick opportunity. Wilde proceeded to float it into the top corner of the goal to extend the lead to 6 – 1, which was the final score.
This was a solid all round performance by the Rangers team, with the outstanding players being Jimmy Hart, who played an excellent linking game in the midfield, dynamic defender Jon Barnes and the imposing Christian Wetting who rampaged up front.
This Saturday Plains Rangers have a much anticipated home game against neighbours Whakatane Town. This should be an exciting, close encounter with both teams in good recent form. Kick off at the Edgecumbe Domain is at 2pm.
Sadly illness, including covid, meant Plains Rangers women had to default their game against Whakatane Town on Sunday. They have a bye this Sunday which is good timing.

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