The CNS Clinic Cup game at Awakeri on Saturday had just about everything: controversy, red cards, bizarre goals, a penalty saved, extra time...
Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers hosted Old Blues in the game postponed from the previous week. The visitors started with the wind at their backs, and kept pressure on Rangers for much of the half. After fifteen minutes Old Blues were incensed at having a goal ruled out through off side, and several of their players let it affect their game. One defender earned a yellow card through unsporting remarks, and later a bad tackle saw him red carded. Old Blues did take the lead though, when Rangers keeper Chris Johnston came out to clear a through ball and it cannoned off an attacker's legs and ended up in the Rangers goal.
Rangers played better football in the second half, and had their own stroke of luck when a huge Johnston punt was headed by an Old Blues defender over his keeper's head into their goal. Rangers were controlling the play, but events took a turn for the worse when Jono Whitaker was sent off during an altercation. The Old Blues player involved was lucky the ref didn't see his retaliation and stayed on the pitch. Old Blues then had the chance to consolidate their lead, after being awarded a penalty, but Chris Johnston saved the penalty well. The visitors then did take the lead, after a defensive error, but Rangers came back. A raking pass from Josh Hyndman found substitute Luke Overworth on the edge of the Old Blues penalty area, and he scored a good goal. At the end of ninety minutes the score was 2 - 2.
Extra time started with both teams tiring. An Old Blues corner was swung in high with the lowering sun directly behind it and Rangers couldn't keep it out. Late in the second period, the visitors sealed the game with a well taken goal from close range. The final score was Plains Rangers 2, Old Blues 4.
Goalkeeper Johnston was named player of the day for Rangers. This Saturday Rangers have a home league game against Ngongotaha Raukura, and will want to improve on the showing when the two teams met in the first round.