It was a frustrating day out for Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers on Saturday. Rangers travelled to play Taupo Nui-a-tia in BOP division three, and, after helping the officials pick up broken glass from the pitch, lost the toss and played into the wind.
The home team pinned Rangers back using the wind well, and the pressure built up. After ten minutes Taupo scrambled a goal in, and it was followed by a well worked second. Late in the half, Rangers got into the game and got some attacks going, Dean Butterworth coming the closest. Ranger's keeper Cody Hancox pulled off an excellent save to deny a third goal.
In the second half Taupo made their visitors' job much harder by scoring an early goal, and then it was Rangers turn to dominate. The crossbar was hit. A Bas Overdevest header wasn't cleared and Rangers captain Richard Nillesen blasted home the rebound. The referee then waved away two good penalty shouts. The awarding of an indirect free kick inside the Taupo penalty area for the defender pushing Harley de Lacy away from the ball left Rangers shaking their heads. The final score was Taupo Nui-a-tia 3 Plains Rangers 1, with right winger Simon Gowing named player of the day.
Rangers will now look forward to their biggest game of the season, the Tasman Bowl final against Kawerau, at Kawerau, this Saturday.