For back-to-back weeks, the Plains Rangers men's side were wondering where their numbers would come from in the middle of the week, with their high school lads away representing Trident at the secondary school's tournament, various injuries and illnesses and coach Christian Wetting also away.
The side travelled to Papamoa United for their last league game of the season against a team that needed a win to secure the league title. The home side started well, playing good passing, attacking football with the assistance of a strong tail wind. As always, the Plains Rangers defence held up strongly and continued to deny the Papamoa surge until a well-taken shot from outside of the box in the 25th minute sailed into the top corner of the Plains Rangers goal. To add further difficulties, striker Phil Ballingall had to sub off with a serious-looking foot injury.
However, midfielder Hamish Wilde started to find success driving the ball down the middle of the park and had Rangers' best chance of the first half, the well-hit shot just drifted wide. The Rangers goal was peppered for the last 10 minutes. Papamoa were continuously denied right on the goal line with good goalkeeping and a hint of luck.
Although 1-0 down at half time, the Rangers team was happy with their efforts. They knew things would get easier in the second half with the wind at their backs. Rangers started very well, with Teimana Awhimate and Carl Imlig cleaning things up at the back while Wilde and skipper James Hart tried to drive forward in hopes of spoiling the title victory for Papamoa. Rangers started to control the ball a lot more and their passing game really started to kick into gear. It was a back-and-forth game until a Rangers player was brought down just over the half-way mark in the 78th minute. Wilde stepped up and was urged to have a go at goal by veteran Ian Gray, but the shot unfortunately was Papamoa keeper made a fine save and tipped it over the bar. Three minutes later, Rangers gained another foul in the same spot, but this time skipper James Hart stepped up to the plate and powered a shot from 40m out to find the back of the net for the 11th time this season and to level the score with just eight minutes to go.
Papamoa knew they needed to score, so their tactics changed and they tried to force a goal by having five up front. It almost worked after a strong shot was saved, then an open goal was missed with one minute left.
The game finished 1-1 which means Rangers locked in 3rd place in the league after finishing the season with 11 wins 3 draws and 4 losses.
The final fixtures for Plains Rangers are in the Miller Cup and Bowl tournament in Otumoetai on September 10.
Thanks for the report Hamish.

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