Many happy returns was Saturday's theme for Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers when they hosted Opotiki in BOP division one. A return from work commitments for key midfielder Bas Overdevest was a spark for a return to goal scoring and a win for Rangers.
Rangers, with a reshuffled line-up, took a while to settle into the game. The youthful and inexperienced Opotiki team launched long balls forward for their speedy attackers to chase. However, Rangers started putting their passing game together, with James Mitchell using excellent vision to open the game up from the midfield. Rangers opened the scoring when a delicate cross from Dean Butterworth was headed strongly into the goal by left winger Simon Gowing. Gowing caused Opotiki all sorts of problems, and a good shot of his was blocked by the Opotiki keeper only for Caleb Hyndman to bundle it home. At half time Rangers led 2 - 0.
After the break, the home team stamped their authority on the game. More good work from Gowing got the ball to Overdevest in the penalty area, and he had space to turn and rifle home a shot. Butterworth got on the scoresheet with a well struck free kick, then youngster Luke Overworth grabbed himself a goal. A good shot came back off the woodwork and he followed up with a well placed header. Opotiki got a goal back when they latched onto a square pass across the Rangers defence and raced through to finish strongly. They were also denied by an acrobatic save from home team keeper Christian Wetting who leapt high and twisted to palm a goal bound long shot over the bar. However, the home team had the last say, when Hyndman worked a one-two with Mitchell and blasted the ball into the goal. The final score Plains Rangers 6, Opotiki 1.
The win will give Rangers confidence going into the second round of the league. This Saturday Rangers are at home to Rotorua United. Kick-off at Awakeri is likely to be at 2.30pm.
There were more happy returns too, like the return of ex-playercoach Ian Finch, as referee and the return of Joel Ogilvy to the field, coming on as sub with a number of Rangers players away for the long weekend.

We look forward to many happy returns next Saturday!!