5 June 2000
Nelson Evening Mail
by Simon Bloomberg
Ocean Lodge Nelson Suburbs posted its second successive win at home when it defeated Christchurch Rangers 2-0 in a Federation Six premier league soccer game at Saxton Field on Saturday.
Kyle Thompson scored both Nelson's goals in the first half when he tapped-in from close range in the 18th and 35th minutes. However, Rangers was more competitive in the second half producing some outstanding defence to keep Nelson scoreless.
Defender Adam Sibble [sic] knocked a shot by Nelson midfielder Toby Kroon off the line while Ranger's [sic] veteran goalkeeper Alan Stroud showed he has lost none of his agility making some great saves.
"We played the full width of the field simply but effectively. The commitment and intensity of the players was very pleasing," Nelson co-coach George Campbell said.
The only downside to Nelson's win was the injury to defender Mark Dirou who left the field in the 55th minute with a suspected broken collarbone. Dirou joins the team's growing casualty list that already includes Ryan Eddington (back), Paul Brown (groin) and Baddley Tariga (leg).
"Losing Mark was a blow - he was just starting to play with a lot of confidence," Campbell said.
Apart from the injury concerns, Campbell was happy with his team's performance against the highly rated Rangers.
The three points puts Nelson in fourth place in the league, six points behind leader Christchurch City [sic] and four behind second-placed Halswell.
Rangers was scheduled to play the second leg of its Nelson double-header against Nelson's national championship team in a Chatham Cup match at Saxton Field today.