Memorable incidents capped off a good final league outing for Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers in BOP division one on Saturday. Rangers were away to Opotiki, the long grass of the pitch counter-balancing the impressive new clubrooms beside it.
Opotiki have had a difficult season, but they played with typical heart from the start and made Rangers work hard for their chances. Midway through the first half Rangers opened the scoring with a well struck drive on the turn from captain Richard Nillesen. Nillesen did well to finish a one-on-one after being put through the home team defence and give his team a 2 - 0 lead at the break.
Opotiki came out in the second half, determined to gain some reward for their efforts and they had a good spell for the first fifteen minutes. Using the breeze, they tested the Rangers defence with through balls. However a good run from Simon Gowing got him round the Opotiki defence and his shot was blocked. Striker Aaron Muggeridge bundled in the loose ball. Soon afterwards, Rangers keeper Christian Wetting made an excellent one-on-one save when an Opotiki striker was put through. The home supporters soon had something to cheer about, when pressure on the Rangers defence ended with a good header by Opotiki player of the day Simon Linton to make the score 3 - 1.
Rangers got the control of the game back though, with substitute centre midfield Jimmy Mitchell using some good passing to keep the play moving. A side foot volley from Muggeridge was the next score. Young striker Luke Overworth came on and put pressure on the tiring Opotiki defence. He was rewarded with a goal after some determined play and Rangers were in comfort zone. Keeper Wetting came out of goal, eager for a run. Left winger Jordan Ogilvy scored, and then came the highlight of the day. Opotiki were awarded a penalty after a Rangers player handled the ball following a corner. Stand-in keeper Simon Gowing, later named player of the day, delighted the noisy Rangers supporters with a good save. To reinforce the situation, player-coach Wetting chested down a cross and powered home a shot, giving his team a 7 - 1 win.
It was a comfortable win in the end for Rangers, who have one final test. On Saturday 27 September Rangers challenge Whakatane's federation league side for the Sponsors' Cup in a game much anticipated by both teams.