From the high drama of eight goals, extra time and a penalty shoot out, Plains Rangers emerged to earn the place in the CNS Cup final.
Tauranga City United and Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers faced each other in the Cup semi final on Saturday with a history of nail biting draws when they've met this season. Rangers started out playing some good football, but not really getting close to goal, but their experienced opponents capitalised twice on errors and got to a good 2 - 0 lead by half time.
Rangers kept up their work in the second half and got back into the game. An excellent 50 metre diagonal pass from centre back Jeremy Hawkes put right winger Cameron Wills through the defence. He cut inside the advancing keeper and slotted the ball home. Rangers upped the ante and soon got onto level terms with another top quality goal. Right winger Ben McPherson chipped the ball over a defender to his captain Christian Wetting, who then chipped the ball over the keeper. However, to Tauranga's credit, they kept pushing, and put away a header from a corner to again grab the lead. Substitute Ben Fretwell went to close for Rangers after good work from McPherson, but the minutes ticked away and it looked like Tauranga had done the job. However the City team couldn't keep out a Rangers corner late in the game and at the end of ninety minutes the score was 3 - 3.
Both teams were determined to not lose it from there and the extra time period was full of heart stopping action and several physical challenges. Tauranga latched onto a weak clearance to get their noses in front again. Late in extra time, Rangers swung in a free kick after another bad tackle, and substitute Barrie Hawkes headed it back for Wetting to slot away the equaliser. After two hours it was 4 - 4 and time for a penalty shoot out.
The first five each had the scores locked again at 4 - 4, but a save from Rangers keeper John Noblett set it up for Jono Whitaker to put away the winner.
This had been a hugely entertaining game, and Rangers will look forward to the Cup final on September 18th against league champions Katikati who beat Te Puke in the other semifinal. Rangers' player of the day was Jeremy Hawkes who was a tower of strength at the back.
This Saturday Rangers are back at home on league action, hosting Papamoa. Kick off at Awakeri is at 2.30pm.