The Awakeri Events Centre played host to Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers for their home game against Te Puke United in BOP division one on Saturday. Rangers knew they were in for a tough battle and so it proved.
The Te Puke team worked hard as a unit and gradually gained a good amount of possession. Rangers battled away defensively, and Jono Whitaker, standing in for regular keeper Christian Wetting, pulled off one superb diving save. However he could not thwart a penalty, coolly taken to open the scoring for the visitors after twenty minutes. Rangers came back into the game and held the upper hand for the remainder of the half. Josh Hyndman showcased his skills in the midfield with Rangers playing good flowing football.
In the second half, Te Puke increasingly resorted to longball tactics, their strikers foraging for a barrage off balls hoisted from their defence. The Rangers team held them at bay, for a long time, with sweeper Kirk Bain in outstanding form. Whitaker pulled off some more excellent saves in a man of the match performance. Late in the game Te Puke sealed the win with a well taken goal. The final score Plains Rangers 0, Te Puke 2.
This Saturday, Rangers are also at home, to AFC Fury, current league leaders. Kick-off at Awakeri is 2.30pm.