Time spent draining the field to make it playable paid off for SLH Contracting Plains Rangers on Saturday! Rangers were at home to Opotiki in BOP division two, with the visitors one place above the home team on the ladder.
The game started out at a hectic pace, with both teams attacking at speed when they got the chance. Rangers created several early chances, with the Opotiki keeper pulling out a good save to stop a close range shot from midfielder Ali Scott. The game was well contested for the next twenty minutes before Rangers started getting the upper hand through some excellent team combinations and passing. Striker Sione Lotu had a shot blocked. James Hart put a free kick narrowly over the bar. On the half hour Rangers finally scored. Left winger Jordan Ogilvy fed Lotu who cut inside and curled a delightful chip over the keeper. Opotiki roared back and Rangers keeper Christian Wetting had to pull off a brilliant save to keep out a swerving shot from one of Opotiki's classy South American imports. At half time Rangers knew the game was not safe with a slender 1 – 0 lead.
The good football continued after the interval. Rangers captain Hart put a shot just wide. Fifteen minutes in, Hart doubled the lead, heading a well weighted free kick from Matt Dalgity past the keeper. The hard working Hamish Wilde was unlucky to have a good effort hit the bar. Late in the game, Rangers made the game safe with two quick goals. Jordan Ogilvy touched a pass from Andy Willis past the keeper and then his hard work set up Ben Sexton for a tap in, to make the final score Plains Rangers 4 Opotiki 0.
The standard of football throughout the game was very good and both teams showed a lot of determination, making it a very entertaining game for the spectators. The Rangers player of the day was the no-nonsense left back Julian Reid. Tijmen Corporaal also impressed in his debut at centre back.
On Sunday Plains Rangers women had their away game at Ngongotaha called off because of the field conditions.







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