2015
11 April 2015
Otumoetai 1, Plains Rangers 2
 |
| And it's a lovely day at Fergusson Park for the first day of the football season. Otumoetai and Plains Rangers shake hands, ref Steve Miller joins in the formalities too. |
 |
 |
| Guess who our new team sponsors are?! These young fullas are from Edgecumbe College, waiting to make an impact in their turn. | Wett is serious this year. He has the game being videoed, and here is Samuel keeping stats on how long we are in possession, what areas of the field etc. |
 |
 |
| New captain this year is James "Jimmy" Hart. He was a calm influence in the midfield all game. | Another new face, Mike Johnstone was strong in centre defence. |
 |
 |
| We're on the attack. Ali Scott runs the ball up. Jaiden Ibbetson, back from New Plymouth, looks to receive. New striker Jamaal James is making a run to Ali's right. | Jaiden's good skills and determination made him a handful for the home defence. |
 |
 |
| First goal of the season. A great cross from the left and Jaiden heads it in. Congratulations all round. | Jordan Ogilvy, sent in the cross for Jaiden. Now he's having a strike himself. Pretty good for a left back! |
 |
 |
| Captain Jimmy passes the ball out to Jordan, making another overlapping run. | Jamaal's quick feet and competitiveness made him a very useful player. |
 |
 |
| Rangers cause another panic attack in the Otumoetai defence. | Half time. Jimmy talks to the boys. |
 |
 |
| The second half and the battle recommences. | Player-coach Christian Wetting is not someone to get in the road of. Opponents beware! |
 |
 |
| Mark Jeynes had a good game in defence. Here he is faced with a tricky winger and he's doing everything right. Watch the ball.... don't dive in.... | Matt Dalgity had a sound game at centre back. His communication skills were to the fore. Nice header Matt! |
 |
 |
| Jaiden has just skipped his way between the two defenders and now he, the keeper and Petir Gray are all in a race to the ball. The keeper did well to block the shot. | Another newcomer, Ronnie Potter showed some good touches out on the wing. Here he tries a fancy turn to get away from the defender. |
 |
 |
| Wett has just been flattened, by his own team mate. Mark! Chris Butler kindly gets the water bottle to cool him off. | Late drama. An indirect freekick 5 metres from goal. Muggsy lays it off to Andy Willis. |
 |
 |
| Otumoetai put their bodies on the line and three times manage to block the shots and their rebounds! | It's all over. Yes, a 2 - 1 win! A good start to the season. Even ref Steve remembered how to do the job. |