A good first half into the teeth of a bitterly cold wind wasn't enough for Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers when they traveled to play Taupo in BOP division one on Saturday.
The home team used the conditions to start well against Rangers, but keeper Chris Johnston was in no mood to give them anything and he kept his goal intact well. Rangers' tactics of pressurizing the Taupo team across the park were paying off, and Rangers mounted several good attacks. James Krause opened the scoring for Rangers with a well taken goal after bursting through the Taupo defence. Taupo's strategy of playing the long ball seemed to need revising as the visitors gained the upper hand. However, with seconds left in the half, the merest touch of a flick through caught the Rangers defence out and Taupo evened the scores.
Despite the tail wind, Rangers were not able to exert the same dominance after the break, and Taupo got a shorter passing game going. The home team took the lead with a scrappy goal and they managed to shut the Rangers' moves down fairly well. Perhaps inspired by Brandon Collier's close efforts for Rangers, Taupo sealed the win in the final minutes with a beautifully weighted lob that gave Johnston no chance. The final score: Taupo 3, Plains Rangers 1.
Paul Inglis was Rangers' player of the day for his stout work in defence. Others to impress were defender Vince Russ and right winger Brandon Collier.
This Saturday Rangers are at home to the well performed Whakatane Town side. Kick off at Awakeri is at 2.30 pm.