'You have to score the goals to win' was the plain message for Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers after their BOP division one soccer game on Saturday. Rangers hosted Katikati at Awakeri in front of a good crowd.
Katikati started well, with some good passing and movement, and gained the early advantage. One of their strikers was tripped in the penalty area, and although the home team protested that the ball had gone out of play, referee Martin Huang pointed to the spot. The penalty was well converted. Rangers had difficulty getting their passes to flow, but did manage a reasonable share of attacks. Striker Aaron Muggeridge was tripped in the Katikati penalty area, and captain Richie Nillesen stepped up to convert the penalty well for the home team. Rangers' feelings of relief were short lived when yet another penalty was awarded, against a Rangers defender for the ball hitting his arm. Again it was put away well. At half time Katikati had a lead 2 - 1 and deserved it.
However in the second half, Rangers started to dominate proceedings. Nillesen hit the cross bar early. The Rangers players were winning their individual battles and pushing forward well. However, the shots went wide or were well saved by the Katikati keeper. In one incident, described later by Rangers player-coach Christian Wetting as the "holy grail" of goalkeeping, the visiting keeper made a triple save. He blocked a strong shot by Bas Overdevest, got up to brilliantly block the rebound from James Mitchell and then claimed the follow-up rebound shot, again by Mitchell. Despite the home team's wealth of possession, the very relieved Katikati team hung on for a memorable 2 - 1 win.
Rangers should be pleased that they lifted their performance, but will need to be more patient in front of goal in their final league game. This Saturday Rangers are away to Opotiki.