"We'll take the win," captain Richard Nillesen said after an even Tasman Cup challenge on Saturday.
Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers, missing several of their starting line-up, played Otumoetai Two at Fergusson Park. The thick kikuyu grass surface slowed the ball down so much that Rangers had difficulty adapting to it. Even so, after a good opening ten minutes, Rangers opened the scoring. A Dean Butterworth cross found Simon Gowing in front of goal and he took the chance well. The home team then stepped up the intensity trying to even the scores in this knock-out match. The midfield became a testy battle ground and debutant referee Brett Willis did well to keep the game under control. The score at half time was still 1 - 0.
After the break, Otumoetai used the breeze at their backs to put plenty of pressure on the Rangers defence. The defence held firm, but it needed one outstanding save from stand-in keeper Jono Whitaker to keep the home team out. A shot from 20 metres was bulleting towards the top far corner, but somehow Whitaker leaped up and across to palm it onto the woodwork and away. Late in the game, Rangers had weathered the storm and nearly grabbed a second. Substitute Jordan Ogilvy got away from the Otumoetai defence and put the ball past the advancing keeper, but the ball slowed enough on the thick grass for a defender to race back to clear it off the line. The final score: Otumoetai Two 0, Plains Rangers 1.
Nillesen commented after the match that Otumoetai had played very well, and Rangers had not really been at their best. However, Rangers will move through to the next round of the Cup to be played in two weeks time. Defender Barrie Hawkes was named player of the day, although Whitaker's moment of brilliance was a turning point.
This Saturday Rangers will have to be at their best, when they travel to play Chatham Cup dark horses Te Puke.