Plains Rangers AFC
19 May 2001 v Ngongotaha
The ill effects of three weeks without a game were apparent when Plains Rangers travelled to meet Ngongotaha in BOP Division One on Saturday. Rangers conceded an early goal, and survived a hail shower before they settled down to have the better of the remainder of the first half. However they could not turn their possession into goals and went into the break a goal down.
After the interval, things worsened as Ngongotaha put away another goal. Then Rangers showed they could play good football. A lovely pass from Bas Overdevest found striker Simon Ruiter on the edge of the penalty area. He drew the defender and slipped it to Christian Wetting, who calmly slid it into the net. At 2 - 1 down, Rangers were back in the game, but the home team were in a determined mood. The introduction of Hori Elliot at left half gave Rangers a boost as he showed his skills with some good runs and interpassing. A slice of luck came for Ngongotaha with fifteen minutes to go, when a strongly hit ground shot went through a sea of legs without deflection and past the unsighted Rangers' keeper into the goal. From there to the end Ngongotaha kept the game under control and deserved their 4 - 1 victory.
Rangers were very disappointed with the way they played, and will need to get their game going again before next Saturday when they host Otumoetai. Bas Overdevest was named the King Farm Services player of the day for his non-stop effort in the centre midfield. Hori Elliot and Ashley Hawkes were two others to impress.
Forward to BOP Div One points table