Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers

April 28 2007 v Fury

Speaking Portuguese would have been an advantage to Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers when they hosted AFC Fury in BOP div two on Saturday. Fury is a side mainly made up of Brazilians with a mix of other imports, and they played football with flair at the Edgecumbe Domain.
Fury put a lot of pressure on the home side throughout the first half, but in the main Rangers coped well. Solid defence was backed up by player-coach Christian Wetting being quick off his goalkeeper's line and being strong in his saves. Rangers captain Richie Nillesen battled through illness for the first half before having to be replaced.
However Fury twice were awarded penalties for challenges in the Rangers box, and they converted both well. The visitors led 2 - 0 at half time.
The more the second half developed, the more Rangers came into the game. Tireless centre midfield efforts from Bas Overdevest and player of the day Simon Gowing kept the talented Fury midfield honest. Up front, Josh Van Veen and Jono Whitaker threatened several times, but couldn't put away a goal that would have really got the vocal home crowd going. The Rangers defence might not have understood their opponents' communications, but they learned to deal with the quick one-twos and the flicks, which kept most threats to Wetting's goal away from the dangerous close range attacks. It was a very good second half effort from the home team, but the score remained Plains Rangers 0, AFC Fury 2.
This coming Saturday Rangers have a rematch of their first round clash with Whakatane. This time the game is at Rex Morpeth Park.