Plains Rangers AFC
May 11th 2002 v Tauranga City United
Plains Rangers lost their unbeaten record when they went down to league leaders Tauranga City United at home on Saturday.
The visitors started well, putting Rangers on the back foot for the first period of the game. They used their speedy wingers well to stretch the Rangers defence out, but each time they were repulsed. Gradually Rangers came into the game and put on some pressure of their own. Strikers George Elliot and Ryan Wilson worked hard to find gaps in the Tauranga defence. Wilson brought an excellent save out of their keeper when he beat three defenders in the penalty area and got in a good shot. The final twenty minutes of the half were very evenly fought and the tenseness of the tussle remained for the rest of the game. Referee Warren Silva did well to keep a lid on proceedings. At half time the score was locked at nil all.
After the break, the battle of attrition continued, with Rangers gaining more and more territorial advantage. The crucial moment came after fifteen minutes. Tauranga worked a good move through the Rangers defence and their striker was brought down in a challenge. Referee Silva had little option but to award a penalty, and it was executed expertly. From there, the visitors decided to protect their lead and they dropped ten men behind the ball. They did well to hold out against the assault that Rangers made against their goal, and still manage the odd break out, one of which brought a superb one-on-one save out of keeper Simon Ruiter. The final whistle blew, leaving both teams to limp off the field - Plains Rangers 0, Tauranga City United 1.
That both teams named their goal keepers players of the day, indicates the closeness of the contest. Bas Overdevest was also a stand-out for Rangers in the midfield.
This Saturday Plains Rangers are away to Taupo. They will try to erase memories of an unhappy loss there last season.
Forward to BOP Div Two points table