Giving league leaders AFC Fury a real test was the mission of Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers on Saturday. Rangers welcomed Fury to Awakeri in the knowledge that their visitors had a considerably strengthened team from that which won BOP division two last season. Their line-up this season is based on a number of players with higher level experience, including several ex-national league.
Rangers got off to an excellent start, competing well and, five minutes in, they scored the first goal Fury has conceded this season. Caleb Hyndman got on the end of a good early cross from the right and steered it past the keeper to set the vocal home crowd alight. However, the visitors came roaring back and gained the lead far too quickly. Stung by this, Rangers fought hard, and while having the lesser share of possession, had their moments on attack. Rangers won several corners, as did Fury. The commanding Rangers keeper Christian Wetting cleaned up everything Fury launched towards his goal, while at the other end the Fury keeper gave his team some anxious moments. A James Mitchell volley from a corner almost went through underneath him, and then he almost dropped a long shot from Barrie Hawkes into his own goal. The half time score was 2 - 1 to the visitors.
The second half continued a similar pattern, with Rangers trying to make the best of their scraps of possession. Rangers' best chance was another cross from the right which just eluded midfielder Josh Hyndman at the far post. Late in the game Fury sewed the game up, when a ball was partially cleared from a corner. With keeper Wetting unsighted, a well hit shot was driven into the bottom corner, giving Fury a 3 - 1 win.
Rangers will be pleased with their determined display, but frustrated that they couldn't control more of the game. Player-coach Wetting and sweeper Kirk Bain had standout games for Rangers.
This week, Rangers have an even bigger test, when they host Internationale from Auckland in the Chatham Cup. The game is being played on Friday, Anzac Day, with kick-off at the Awakeri Sportsfield at 2.30pm.