Plains Rangers produced a much improved effort in their away game to league leaders
Otumoetai on Saturday.
A very even tussle developed between two evenly matched teams. Rangers attacked
with a will, creating holes in the home team’s defence, and at the back a more
resolute determination coped well with Otumoetai’s attacks. Rangers scored after ten
minutes, Dan Logan, ran the ball through from the midfield and slotted it coolly past
the advancing keeper. This time Rangers did not let their guard down after scoring,
with Mark Thompson organising his defence well. Logan almost doubled the lead, the
home team just keeping him out after a one-two move. After half an hour Otumoetai
equalised, a lucky touch steering the ball into the Rangers goal. Otumoetai then
scored with a well taken shot from the midfield. Rangers could have equalised when
James Mitchell took the ball round the defence, and pulled it back for Barrie Hawkes.
His shot was blocked by the keeper but Aaron Muggeridge couldn’t steer the
bouncing rebound into the net.
In the second half, Rangers altered their formation, tightening the defence, but they
couldn’t penetrate to grab the equaliser, though Muggeridge came close to earning a
penalty. Both teams’ tiredness began to show and play was not as fluid. The game
ended with Otumoetai ahead 2 - 1, though the hosts were gracious enough to concede
that Rangers deserved to share the points.
Coach David Dennis would be pleased with the improvement in Rangers play.
Captain Jason Pullar named the “youthful striker” Hawkes as player of the day.
Others to impress included Mitchell, Muggeridge, Pullar, Logan, Thompson and
Harley de Lacy.
This Saturday Rangers are at home to Tauranga City United. Kick-off at the
Edgecumbe Domain is at 2.30pm