It's been three seasons since these two local teams have clashed in a league game. The Sponsors Cup was also up for grabs, so the match between Plains Rangers and Whakatane at Edgecumbe on Saturday had been much anticipated.
The first twenty minutes of the game was tense with Whakatane Town putting pressure on the Plains Rangers defenders. However, Rangers held out several corners attempts and a couple of free kicks close to their goal.
Rangers did have their own scoring chances early on too, when, after some sustained pressure, Isaiah Davidson's cross was headed on to goal by Edison Indarte but it was well saved at the near post by the Whakatane keeper. The rest of the first half was more even with each side having opportunities to score but the final touches were missing or the shots were well saved.
It was said at half time that whoever scored first would probably win the game, and it turn out to be so.
In the second half the Rangers side grew their possession percentage and looked more comfortable on the ball. As the game wore on, the Rangers' superior fitness was also starting to tell.
This was exploited 55 minutes in, when Rangers youngster Elijah Wetting finished a flowing passing move and scored with a hard low shot close to the post to beat the Whakatane goalie.
Ten minutes later the Rangers scored again. Following a Whakatane break out from their own half, Rangers captain fantastic James Hart stole possession from the Whakatane midfield. Evergreen defender Ian Gray played the ball through to Hamish Wilde, who spotted Rangers' striker Earle Tuhimata in some space. Tuhimata controlled the pass well then skilfully right footed a low shot towards the post to beat the Whakatane keeper in the same spot as the previous goal.
The game then got a bit feisty with some of the visitors showing frustration. In an otherwise mostly clean match, Plains Rangers held on to the ball for the last part of the game to secure a well-deserved 2 - 0 win.
Ranger's player of the day was Jon Barnes, who was ever present in the central defence but the whole squad was in top form. It bodes well for the next game, a hard away fixture with third placed Taupo.

Thanks Chris Butler.

Plains Rangers News
Plains Rangers home page.

.