It was a case of so near yet so far, when Plains Rangers Edgecumbe played
Whakatane Town in BOP division one on Saturday.
Rangers took the game to the home team from the outset. Good team play gave
Rangers the majority of possession and territory throughout the first half, though
Whakatane used the wind to good advantage when clearing their lines. Rangers
pressed forward and were denied by a number of vital last ditch tackles. Daniel Logan
and Richard Nillesen used the steady supply of ball through the hard working Rangers
midfield, while the home team opted to bypass the midfield, sending the ball long to
their strikers. However the Rangers defence, superbly led by Mark Thompson, had
few anxious moments. The game was scoreless at half time.
The game became more even in the second half, as both teams tired. Rangers were
unfortunate to lose Nillesen, as a heavy fall saw him leave the field injured. The best
moment for Whakatane was a header from Shaan Cory which just sailed over the
crossbar, while Rangers came close with a Matt Ward left footer and a Harley de Lacy
header. The final score Whakatane 0, Plains Rangers 0.
Player of the day plaudits went to midfielder Bas Overdevest for the Edgecumbe team
and defender Aaron Woods for Whakatane.
This Saturday Rangers are at home to league co-leaders Rotorua Suburbs. Kick-off at
the Edgecumbe Domain is at 2.30pm