Plains Rangers Edgecumbe were host to a thrilling local derby with Whakatane on Saturday. Quite a good crowd lined the Edgecumbe Domain to see the visitors make first use of the wind and rain. Whakatane did this to good effect, pinning the home team in their own half for much of the forty-five minutes. However some good defending and a few near misses cost the visitors, but late in the half they did grab the lead. Julian Verstegen made the most of some space to lob the ball into the goal.
Rangers roared onto attack after the break. Ernst Vos went close after a good Richie Nillesen pass. Pressure on the Whakatane defence had them caught in possession and Nillesen raced through, putting the ball past the advancing keeper. Both teams fought hard to gain the lead, the crowd keeping warm on the sideline by offering plenty of advice and encouragement. Dean Butterworth set up a great chance for Rangers when he took the ball to the bye line and pulled it across goal, but Nillesen couldn't turn it in. Rangers kept the pressure up, sub Dan Logan tightened up the midfield but the deadlock remained. Near the end Whakatane put together a couple of likely attacks and Rangers defender Kirk Bain earned player of the day for kicking one ball of the line. The final score Plains Rangers 1 Whakatane 1.
The result was a fair one for both teams, with some good football being played in good spirit. For Rangers Bas Overdevest was in excellent form in the midfield. His battle with Whakatane's player of the day Gavin Rothwell was full on. Young defender Matt Ward was another to impress, with some tight marking and timely interceptions.
This coming Saturday Rangers are away to Rotorua Suburbs.