On Saturday Plains Rangers men were away in their BOP div two fixture to new team Otumoetai Extras. After a delayed kickoff, Rangers started well, passing the ball around and controlling proceedings. After seven minutes striker Jon Barnes floated in an inviting cross from the right and Hamish Wilde raced in at the back post to put it in the net. However, Rangers seemed to relax after this and errors began to creep in. Otumoetai were good at counter attacking, using speedy forwards and created several chances, making Rangers scramble to keep them out. A stern talking to from coach Christian Wetting at half time refocused Rangers on playing calm football to protect their 1 – 0 lead.
The second half saw Rangers responding to the message. Early in the half, an attack ended with Barnes being upended in the penalty area. Wilde stepped up to take the penalty and squeezed it under the keeper. Thirty minutes into the half came another penalty. This time Rangers striker Phil Ballingall was late tackled in the box. Ballingall took the spot kick himself and planted it wide of the keeper to make the score 3 – 0. Rangers kept their good grip on the game going through to the final whistle, to earn their first win of the season.
The win was well deserved and was built on the good linking play of captain James Hart in the centre midfield and the hard work of the team around him. Player of the day was Jon Barnes. Not far behind him were Ian Gray, who had a fine display in defence, the energetic Wilde and Levi McIntyre, whose ball skills often created openings for attacks.
This Saturday Rangers men are at home to Ngongotaha.
On Sunday Plains Rangers women travelled to play new club Lakes FC, who proved to be tough opponents. Lakes put the Rangers team under a lot of pressure and forced it to rearrange the formation in the second half. The home team took the win 4 – 0 in the end. For Rangers, player of the day was Dani Howard, who shone in defence and also made some strong runs up field. Others to stand out were keeper Tracey Buckley, Lexi Pullar on the wing, centre midfielder Amie Morris and defender Sarah Wigzell.
This Sunday Rangers women are at home to Tauranga Blue Rovers.

Ranee's report:
Us vs Lakes .0 - 4
Second game done and it was a tougher game today. We got put under a lot of pressure. Come the second half we changed our layout on the field. Our passes with ball to feet working well for us out wide and some good passes through balls to run on to was good to watch. We managed to get a few shots on goal but we had to work hard for them. We managed a couple of close moments in getting goals too. It was a very bunched game in the middle of the field, which made it hard to play the game. You all played amazing out there today. Tracey Buckley another great game in goal today. Lexi Pullar great game on the wing and you started getting hungry for the ball.
Amie Morris another great game in the centre mid, finding those passes out of the middle to our players to open up the game.
Sarah Wigzell nice game today with some great stops /blocks with the ball.
Player of the day goes to Dani Howard you had a wicked game, played most positions today apart from goalie and striker. You had a couple great runs up field with the ball and lots of running, passing blocking and defending.
See you ALL at training Wednesday.

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