Beautiful weather for the beautiful game! Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers traveled to play Ngongotaha in BOP division one on Saturday.
The home team settled into the game quickly and had some pressure on Rangers with good play and they used the through ball to create chances. However, their strikers hesitated at vital moments and Rangers defence, led by Kirk Bain, restricted the good chances. Rangers' stand-in keeper Grahame Sims was sound whenever he was tested. Late in the half Rangers started to play with more authority.
After the break it was an even tussle. Ngongotaha broke the deadlock with a well taken goal. However Rangers got stronger and stronger. Player of the day Joel Ogilvy was dynamic in the midfield. Midway through the half Ben McPherson squared a cross, it was touched on by Ogilvy and Sam McPherson put his shot inside the post. Rangers were now finding gaps in the Ngongotaha defence and more space in the midfield. With ten minutes to go pressure from the always dangerous Ben McPherson saw the home team keeper mishandle the ball and McPherson buried it in the net. Rangers had another couple of golden chances too but would be happy with the 2 - 1 win.
This weekend Rangers men have a local derby at the high flying Kawerau on Saturday, while Rangers women are at home to Old Blues on Sunday.