It took a late goal to knock Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers out of the CNS Cup quarterfinals on Saturday. Rangers were away at Ngongotaha, the BOP division one leaders, and were determined to put up a good showing. The home team were able to field three players who then went on to play for their table topping Federation team as well. Rangers started well, but the home team settled into some good football too. They attacked willingly down the wings and put a lot of pressure on the Rangers' defence. However, Rangers are also capable of that and after 30 minutes Jaiden Ibbetson opened up the Ngongotaha defence and slid the ball across goal for Aaron Muggeridge to score. One minute before half time the home team scored a cracker of an equaliser, a powerful drive from twenty metres.
The second half was a fairly even battle and it looked like the game would go into extra time as both teams tired in the warm conditions. However with only a few minutes left on the clock, Ngongotaha pounced on a loose ball and scored the winner. The score: Ngongotaha 2 Plains Rangers 1.
It was a good battling display by Rangers, with Ibbetson named player of the day for some outstanding work on attack. Others to shine included defender Paul Inglis and midfielder Tom Davison.
Rangers have been hit hard over the last few weeks with serious injuries and players moving away to work out of the district. Coach Muggeridge will be hoping he can field a team capable of competing with the free-scoring Otumoetai team when they meet in Tauranga this Saturday.