The Taupo team should have stopped to buy Lotto tickets
on their way home from Awakeri on Saturday.
The visitors settled quickly into the game against Gary Fowell Builders
Plains Rangers, and scored when a well taken free kick from 25 metres
was curled over the top of the wall. Rangers got their game going and
had a series of goalmouth melees in front of the Taupo goal, but the ball
wouldn't go in. The pressure stayed on. Rangers thought they had equalised
through Ben McPherson, but they goal was ruled out when the referee noticed
the linesman's flag had been up. Christian Wetting had a penalty shout
turned down, and then it looked like the visitors luck was really in,
when they scored from a close range header after a rare attack. Rangers
kept up their attacks. Wetting put a header over the top. McPherson ran
70m with the ball only to be stopped by a foul just outside the Taupo
area. Finally success, a McPherson freekick was headed in at close range
by Wetting. At half time the score was 2 - 1 to the visitors.
The second half had a succession of chances for Rangers. Tom Davison hit
the woodwork twice, Nestor Rocha put in some nice crosses, and another
penalty appeal was turned down. So by good goalkeeping and good fortune,
Taupo hung onto their lead to the end.
It was an entertaining game for the spectators, although frustrating for
the Rangers supporters. Ben Fretwell's excellent play at right back earned
him player of the day, while Jono Whitaker and Ben McPherson were also
in top form.
This Saturday Rangers have a tough assignment away to Ngongotaha.
On Sunday, Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers women's team was at home
to Rotorua United. The game was played in good spirit and it was well
controlled by referee Norm Howe. Rangers had some decent passages of possession,
but Rotorua scored seven goals in each half to win the game 14 - 0. Hayley
Warner's good work in midfield saw her named player of the day. This Sunday
Rangers have the reverse fixture with Kawerau Town. Last time, these two
teams were evenly matched, so a good game is in store. Kick-off at Awakeri
will be at 12.30pm.
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