Plains Rangers will be kicking themselves for not holding out against the odds, in
their game against Otumoetai in BOP Div One on Saturday.
Rangers, despite playing into a steady breeze through the first half, went a goal up
after ten minutes. Striker Brendan Cusack capitalised on hesitancy in the home team’s
defence to race through and blast the ball into the goal. Otumoetai came back, using
the breeze to pin Rangers back on defence. Although the home team created a good
number of goal attempts, wayward finishing, a couple of excellent stops by keeper
Matt Aberhart and determined defence kept them comfortably at bay.
Rangers unfortunately lost three players at half time, to injury and other
commitments.
All Rangers substitutes were pressed into play. Soon after the break, Otumoetai, who
continued to press, had a large slice of luck, with a Rangers defender heading the ball
into his own net. A steely effort from the Rangers players, with the mdfield trio Aaron
Woods, Bas Overdevest and player of the day Mark Jeynes leading the way, almost
got their team through to a deserved draw. However in the final minute, Rangers were
caught with not enough defenders back, and Otumoetai gleefully grabbed the winner.
Otumoetai 2, Plains Rangers 1.
This Saturday, Rangers are at home to Kawerau. Kick-off at the Edgecumbe Domain
is at 2 p.m..