While it was not a pretty game to watch, the local derby between Kawerau and Plains
Rangers Edgecumbe had plenty of second half excitement.
The first half was a disjointed affair. Kawerau kept their visitors on the back foot with
lots of long balls behind the defence, and Rangers keeper Matt Aberhart had plenty to
do. Rangers did not help themselves by giving away possession frequently and failing
to string together any passing moves of note. However, Rangers kept the home team
at bay and the score at the interval was nil all.
The Edgecumbe team got their teamwork going much better in the second half. An
excellent move saw Richie Nillesen thread a diagonal pass through to Bas Overdevest
in the Kawerau penalty area, but he put his shot over the bar. Kawerau were relieved
and made the most of it, applying pressure on the Rangers defence. A ball wide of
goal drew keeper Aberhart out to block it, but it was squared across and Kawerau
scored with an easy tap in. Kawerau held the advantage for quite a while, then with
fifteen minutes to go Rangers grabbed an equaliser. Defender David Dennis went on a
run down the right and delivered a perfect cross which was headed in. Both teams
went at it again for the finale. With one minute to go Rangers striker, and player of
the day, Aaron Muggeridge was flattened in the box. Nillesen stepped up to take the
penalty, but the Kawerau keeper made an excellent diving save. The final score
Kawerau 1, Plain Rangers 1, was a fair result.
With injuries taking their toll, Rangers will have to try and put together a reasonable
team for next week’s challenge against the strong Whakatane side.