A new venue, but the same good football! Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers hosted Taupo at Awakeri on Saturday. It was always destined to be a close game, with the visitors in third place in the league, one place above Rangers.
Rangers started out strongly, playing some flowing football and attacking well down the wings. However, Taupo weathered the storm and then got into the game. The first half was evenly balanced, although Rangers went closer with their shots. A header from Bas Overdevest and a Jeremy Hawkes diving header both went narrowly wide. Rangers lost captain Richie Nillesen to injury at half time, but came out determined to lift their game.
The second half was a gritty battle. Aaron Muggeridge figured prominently in pressurizing the Taupo defence until he was injured in a heavy tackle. Midway through the half, substitute Josh Hyndman rose above the Taupo defence at a corner to head the ball home strongly and break the deadlock. Both sides had about equal chances from there till the end, but a flying Wetting save a minute from time kept Rangers in front. The final score: Plains Rangers 1 Taupo 0.
Centre back Dan Baxter got the nod for man of the match, with Wetting and Overdevest also in excellent form. Both teams enjoyed the use of the Awakeri field and excellent facilities, with referee Stuart Taylor adding his contribution by managing the game well.
This Saturday Rangers play Kawerau at Tarawera Park in what promises to be another close encounter in the top seven group.