Plains Rangers men bounced back from their loss last week, to grab a hard-fought victory at Papamoa United. There was plenty at stake in this clash, the penultimate round of the season, with the home team trying to stay equal top of the league and Rangers wanting to avenge their previous loss and to stay in the top four.
The home team started out strongly and had immediate success, opening the scoring after only five minutes. Both teams were playing some high-quality football. Rangers' keeper Christian Wetting had to deal with several long range shots on his goal, while Elias Thomas, restored to the striker role, was causing the Papamoa defenders all sorts of problems with his tricky running. Ten minutes before half time Thomas scored a terrific goal, collecting the ball inside the box, feigning one way and powering his shot into the opposite corner of the goal. Rangers gained in confidence and the game was well balanced at 1 – 1 at half time.
Despite losing Ollie Fort to injury, Rangers continued to play strongly after the break and soon took the lead. Elijah Wetting hit a sweet strike from the edge of the penalty area that flew like a bullet, inches off the ground into the home team goal, giving their keeper no chance and giving his team the lead. Nice inter-play between Thomas and Ben McPherson saw the latter hit a good chance narrowly wide. Five minutes later Christian Wetting launched a clearance that found Thomas, who beat a defender by chesting the ball, went round the next defender then wrongfooted the goalkeeper to score a classy goal. Papamoa were not about to lie down though and bounced quickly back to score and make it 2 – 3. The game was full on for the final half an hour. Rangers outside backs Shane Baillie and Anaaru Awhimate coped really well, defending against two quick Papamoa wingers. The home team threw everything at Rangers. They did hit the woodwork twice, but Rangers also hit the post. Teimana Awhimate was strong in the air for his first game back from injury. And Rangers managed the game out well to keep their lead and secure the win.
While Elias Thomas was the outstanding player for Rangers, the win was built on the grit of the team as a whole. Rangers men now have a week off with a bye, before their final game of the season, a home game against Ngongotaha Lakes, who are snapping at their heels on the league table.
On Sunday Rangers women had their final game of the season, away at high flying Te Puke in wild wet, windy and sunny conditions! The pitch was in better condition than the last time the two sides met over there. The game was well contested physically, with some players coming off better than others. Rangers had lots of movement on the ball, spent some time in the Te Puke half and managed to limit their high-scoring opponents to three first half goals.
Rangers then wound up the season with players pulling positions out of a hat for the second half and it created an interesting contest. Rangers put the Te Puke keeper under some pressure and Rose Sinkinson scored a nice goal. The final score was Te Puke 6, Rangers 1.
Mariah Pepper was named player of the day after some great work in the centre midfield.

Ranee's report:
Us VS Te Puke, 1 - 6

Well, what a wet windy sunny wild day to be playing soccer.
The pitch was in better condition today then the last time we played Te Puke on their home ground.
The game was very 50/50 with the argy bargy, some players coming better off than others.
It was a very interesting first half for us, we had lots of movement on the ball, spent a bit of time in their half and hold them out well for Te Puke to manage to get 3 goals in the first half.
Then the fun began for the second half, pull your playing position out of the box, lots of ladies in very different positions that they haven't played before, it created a very interesting second half, we gave Te Puke a run for their money and really made their goalie work for it in this half.
Both our goalies today had a tough game however you both did some amazing saves.
Bloody nice goal today Rose and nice work on the pitch as well, you had an amazing game.
Player of the day goes to Mariah, your first half was great been placed as defensive mid, you had your work cut out for you in that spot, then taking on centre mid in the second half, nice work today.
Well done ladies on our last game of the season. You should all be proud of yourself not just on today but about the whole season.

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