An amazingly quick start launched Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers into the mood for an excellent first half against Old Blues in BOP div three on Saturday. Rangers had the breeze behind them and within two minutes had the lead. Simon Gowing got round his defender and was taken down in the box. Captain Richie Nillesen converted the resulting penalty well. Striker Aaron Muggeridge doubled the lead three minutes later, with a high lob over the home team keeper, who injured himself trying to keep it out. A few minutes later pressure down the left caused an Old Blues defender to put the ball into his own net! Midway through the first half Gowing latched onto a Jeremy Hawkes long throw and rounded the keeper to score from an acute angle. Harley de Lacy added to Old Blues misery, as did Nillesen with a calm left foot finish and Muggeridge after a 50 metre run. The half time score had Rangers leading 7 - 0, the result of some cutting passing.
After the break, the Old Blues keeper took his job back, and, backed by the breeze and a blinding sun, the home team kept Rangers back for quite a while. Rangers managed to miss several glaring opportunities and Donald Rabbits was very unlucky to see his well hit shot bounce off the post, so the score remained stuck. However, de Lacy finally broke the 'drought' for Rangers with a good solo run and a calm finish. The final score Old Blues 0, Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers 8.
Aaron Muggeridge was named player of the day for his positive play up front. The Easter break looms for Rangers this weekend, but a home game against a strong AFC Fury team will be eagerly awaited on April 22.