Plains Rangers men headed south to play third placed Taupo on Saturday, hoping to continue their recent good run of form, but with several players missing. Glorious sunny conditions at Crown Park set the scene for a game full of twists and turns. Rangers started out well enough but the home team capitalized on a misplaced clearance and lofted the ball into the Rangers goal to put them ahead early in the game. They almost doubled their lead soon after but Christian Wetting pulled off a fine diving reflex save. Rangers were shaken but got back into a fair share of the play. However, after twenty minutes a Rangers defender was dispossessed and the Taupo striker fired a rocket past the Rangers keeper to double their lead. Five minutes later injury was added to insult when striker Sione Lotu left the field with a dislocated shoulder. Rangers gained a lifeline back into the game shortly after. Fellow striker Phil Ballingall was brought down on a run into the Taupo penalty area and captain Jimmy Hart stepped up to slot home the resulting spot kick. The confidence started to return to the visitors. Five minutes later Elijah Wetting curled in a great shot from wide out on the left to beat the keeper at his far post. The Rangers midfield of Hart and Hamish Wilde were now controlling play and the home team started to get frustrated. Late in the half Elijah Wetting was fouled. Wilde took the free kick from 30 metres out. Teimana Awhimate and Ballingall made runs across the flight of the ball, but it sailed untouched into the goal. Rangers had bounced back to hold a 3 – 2 lead at half time!
Two minutes into the second half, the home team restored their fortunes when they were awarded a penalty for a hand ball and evened the game up. Four minutes later another penalty. Ballingall was again brought down, but to the joy of the Taupo supporters, the penalty kick was saved this time. Rangers had various injury setbacks and juggled their thin number of substitutes to keep battling on. Taupo pushed hard for the winner and put a lot of pressure on the Rangers defence, which held firm despite a series of corners pinning them back. Rangers managed to make a number of break outs, with the back-on-the-field-again Lotu making a real impact. Late in the game Rangers won an attacking freekick, taken by Wilde and it was turned into the Taupo goal by an unlucky defender for a most unusual winner for the visitors. The final score: Taupo Lakers 3, Plains Rangers 4.
This was a thrilling result for Rangers and a despairing one for Taupo. Veteran Barrie Hawkes was named player of the day for Rangers for his work coming on as a substitute, but the whole team deserves the plaudits for earning such a good result, overcoming the early deficit and the other setbacks.
This Saturday sixth placed Rangers have a home game against fourth placed Otumoetai FC in what should be a good contest. Kick off at the Edgecumbe Domain is at 2 pm.
On Sunday Plains Rangers women travelled to play the well-performed Tauranga City team. Rangers defended well for most of the first half but the home team opened the scoring just before the break.
Rangers, in the second half lost momentum and only had one sub to call on to keep their team going. However, they did have their moments of nice passing and several shots on goal. Sadly, late in the game Dani Howard had to be carried off the field with a serious injury. Tauranga City ran out the winners 6 – 0 in the end.
Player of the day for Rangers was Acacia Wakefield, who did a fine job in defence and used things being worked on in training to good effect. Others to impress were winger Amy Hayes and keeper Tracey Buckley, who saved a penalty.
This Sunday Rangers women are home to Lakes FC from Rotorua. Kick off is at 12.30pm

Ranee's report:

Us VS Tauranga City, 0-6
Sad end to the game ladies with our player leaving in an ambulance. Hope all is well Dani.
Well it was a cold start to the day but the sun was shining bright.
We had an amazing first half with no goals going in until the last seconds lol.
Second half we lost momentum however we did have our moments when it all fell into place for us. We managed a few shots on goal. When we got our passes working it was great to watch. We need to work on our communications during the game.
We kept our heads high and kept playing the game even though we had only one sub.
Amy Maybe Hayes nice work on the wing today, you had a great game.
Nice penalty save today Tracey Buckley.
Player of the day goes to Acacia Wakefield. You had a amazing game in the back line today. You are using everything you learnt at training on the field and it's working for you, keep it up.
Well done ladies on the game today. See you all at training Wednesday night.

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