Brilliant saves at the start and end of the game by Plains Rangers keeper Matt
Aberhart could not quite do the trick in their BOP division one game on Saturday.
Rangers were at home to league leaders Rotorua Suburbs. Suburbs won an early free
kick just outside the area. The kick was curled over the wall, but Aberhart leapt to
turn it away for a corner. The visitors had a very strong first half and pinned Rangers
in their own half for long periods. They scored after fifteen minutes, then again just
before half time.
The second half looked a long road back for Rangers, but to their credit, the home
team started putting the acid back on the Suburbs side. Jason Pullar had an intriguing
battle with his Suburbs midfield counterpart Scott Payne. Payne is one of four players
to have moved from Ngongotaha to Suburbs this season. Rangers finally got some
good ball forward, the combination of player of the day Matt Ward and Dan Logan
created a number of opportunities. A cross from Bas Overdevest deceived the Suburbs
defence and striker Dean Butterworth put a good shot past the keeper. Rangers won a
series of corners, but couldn’t convert them. Late in the game Richard Nillesen came
on. His direct running brought immediate reward, a penalty after being brought down
in the box. Pullar put the penalty under the keeper to level the scores. With time
running out, Logan twice beat a number of defenders before squaring the ball for
Nillesen to strike well. The first shot was well saved and the second whizzed by the
outside of the post. In the final minute, Payne made one more run at the Rangers
defence, resulting in a shot being brilliantly palmed out by keeper Aberhart. However
Suburbs player Dave Garaets was first to the rebound. He smacked it into the net,
grabbing a hat-trick and setting off jubilant celebrations from the Suburbs team.
The final score was Plains Rangers Edgecumbe 2, Rotorua Suburbs 3.
The game was an entertaining spectacle and a hard fought affair, but good spirit
prevailed between the two teams. This Saturday Rangers will cool their heels with a
bye, and look forward to the start of round two.