It took a superb free-kick to give league leaders Rotorua Suburbs the points against an injury hit Plains Rangers Edgecumbe on Saturday.
The visitors dominated the first half as Rangers, missing the presence of top goal scorer Dan Logan, struggled to get their game flowing. However, with some good defensive work put in by the home team, all Suburbs had to show for it was a speculative shot that pinged off the top of the crossbar. Matt Ward and Dean Butterworth had formed a good combination down the right, but Suburbs prevented them from breaking out to a large extent.
In the second half, injury to David Dennis saw a reshuffle in the Rangers team. He was barely off the field when Suburbs gained a free kick outside the Rangers penalty area. A new Scottish midfielder struck the kick exquisitely, bending it over the wall and into the near top corner to give the visitors the lead. Rangers came back with their best period of the match, a number of attacks causing the Suburbs team concern. Substitute forward Mark Thompson was put through for two good runs that ended in shots that were saved. He also had a header flash wide. Suburbs also had their chances. Another well taken free kick ended in a goalmouth scramble, and a rebound strike of rocket-speed proportions from the midfield had Rangers keeper Matt Aberhart glad he was in the right place to get his body behind it. The final score Plains Rangers 0, Rotorua Suburbs 1.
For Rangers, Bas Overdevest earned player of the day for another wholehearted effort in the centre midfield. The game was played in good spirit and was well refereed by Neil Walker and his assistants.
This weekend Rangers have the bye, after that one catch-up league game remains then the Tasman Cup.