A gutsy performance from Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers kept league high fliers Te Puke honest in BOP division one on Saturday.
Rangers were under quite a bit of pressure early in the game as the hosts sought to control the game playing directly down the middle. Despite a strong game from one of football's best keepers, Christian Wetting, Te Puke grabbed an early goal, squeezing the ball in from a tight angle and past the desperate lunge of defender Scott Geddes. Wetting kept out a number of raids that got through the hard working defence and kept his side in with a sniff.
In the second half Rangers battled away, with centre midfielders Richard Nillesen and Bas Overdevest getting forward well, as well as doing their defensive duties. Rangers went close when Simon Gowing almost got on the end of a Jimmy Mitchell cross. Gowing also had a good long shot with the keeper out of position, which skewed away to the relief of the Te Puke team. Midway through the half, a red card to Dean Butterworth had Rangers down to ten men, but they still kept the pressure on their hosts right till the end. The final score was Te Puke United 1, Plains Rangers 0.
Player-coach Wetting was pleased with his side's commitment, especially in the second half. Scott Geddes was named player of the day.
This Saturday Rangers play a Tasman Cup game against BOP division two leaders Rotorua United, in an early kick off at the Rotorua Stadium. This will be another big test, as Rotorua are averaging nearly five goals a game in their league matches and they have already knocked a 1st division side out of the Cup.