This year's soccer World Cup came early at Edgecumbe on Saturday. Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers hosted AFC Fury, a team made up entirely of immigrants from Africa, South America and Europe, in BOP division 3.
Fury lived up to their name, attacking with a will from the start. Fury used pace and skill to pull apart a rather inexperienced Rangers backline and were soon four goals up. At the other end, Aaron Muggeridge had a goal disallowed due to an unlucky off-side call. Fury scored twice more and their keeper pulled off a brilliant save to keep out a Richie Nillesen free kick, to see the half time score 6 - 0 to Fury.
In the second half Rangers withstood the pressure well until a blatant off-side helped create an easy goal for the visitors. Rangers then were reduced to ten men as Jeremy Hawkes was carted off the field injured with all the subs having been used. Hard work by Rangers kept the skilful Fury side to only one more goal. The final score Rangers 0, Fury 8.
Rangers were not disgraced, as this Fury line-up would do very well in BOP 1st division, and Rangers had a number of injuries to contend with. Kirk Bain's outstanding work in the centre of defence, after he came on, earned him player of the day.
This coming Saturday Rangers are away to Te Puke.