Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers continued their good
start to the season in BOP division one on Saturday. Rangers were at home
to Tauranga City United, and started out playing some excellent football.
Rangers worked the ball patiently through the midfield and kept the visitors
on the back foot. Some good switches of play brought wingers Cameron Wills
and Ben McPherson into the game, but defiant Tauranga defence and some
good goalkeeping kept Rangers out. Richie Nillesen opened some gaps through
the middle too, but again the defence stood firm. Rangers came very close
when a powerful freekick from Hayden Marrow was tipped onto the crossbar
by the Tauranga keeper. At the other end, Rangers defence, and keeper
Christian Wetting were dealing comfortably with keeping the visitors quiet.
The score was nil all at half time.
Early in the second half Rangers got the break through they deserved.
A James Krause shot was blocked by a defender, but Scott Marrow was on
hand to put it away. The goal seemed to rouse the visitors up. They launched
a number of aerial attacks, with some tall strikers to aim at. Centre
defenders Hayden Marrow and Jeremy Hawkes had to work hard dealing with
it. Rangers didn't manage to control as much possession as they were capable
of, and so kept their supporters on tenterhooks until the final whistle.
The final score Plains Rangers 1, Tauranga City 0.
This was a valuable win for the Rangers team, and sees them sitting up
near the top of the table. Hayden Marrow earned player of the day with
a strong showing in defence. He and brother Scott will be missed as they
return to Christchurch this week.
This Saturday Rangers travel to play Old Blues.
The Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers women's team had their first home
game. Tauranga City were also their visitors. In the first half Rangers
dealt fairly well with the considerable pressure they were put under,
but later in the second half Tauranga ran away with the game. Esther Geerlings
did some sterling work in the defence, and Maria Puutu's sound work earned
her player of the day. Kayla Benner and Stacey Hema also did well for
Rangers.
This coming Sunday Rangers women travel to play
Rotorua United.
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