The Awakeri sports field was the scene of a good hard battle in the BOP 1st division on Saturday. Taupo came to take on Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers and got off to a great start. From a corner in the first minute, a Taupo strike was brilliantly saved by Rangers keeper John Noblett. However the visitors scored soon after, although there were strong appeals for off side.
Rangers got their home crowd going when a good cross from striker James Krause was headed powerfully into the Taupo goal by Ben McPherson to even the scores up. The rest of the half was an even affair, with errors leading to lack of flow in the Rangers play.
The home team got it together better as the second half went on. A strong James Krause shot was blocked by the Taupo keeper but McPherson got to the rebound and blasted it into the net. Defenders Chris Johnston, with some good headers, and the strong tackling Mark Jeynes snuffed out most Taupo attacks. With everyone doing their jobs, Rangers put the foot down. Krause set up Cameron Wills, who put his left footer past the keeper. The Krause brothers James and Jeff also managed to hit the post before time was up. The final score Plains Rangers 3 Taupo 1.
Rangers had had to work hard to overcome a reasonably strong Taupo team. Ben McPherson was named player of the day. This Saturday Rangers will need another good showing when they take on Whakatane Town at Rex Morpeth Park.