Plains Rangers AFC
July 20th 2002 v Ngongotaha
"Not for the faint hearted," was the verdict of the spectators who watched Plains Rangers BOP Div 2 match against Ngongotaha on Saturday.
Ngongotaha came to the Edgecumbe Domain, fresh from knocking Taupo's 1st team out of the Tasman Cup last week, and very early in the game got a lucky break. A shot from just outside the area took a big deflection and wrong footed the Rangers defence, allowing a Ngongotaha striker to open the scoring. For much of the first half, Rangers played the more constructive football, their visitors relying on the long ball for their speedy forwards to chase. The home team had a number of goal attempts, mostly from a distance, but were thwarted by the opposition's reliable goalkeeper. At the break the score was 1 - 0 to Ngongotaha.
The second half had barely begun when the action redoubled. Rangers striker Simon Ruiter was given some room and he did well to run the ball at the keeper and slip it past him for the equaliser. Rangers continued playing a short passing game, with Colin Lawrence and Joel Ogilvy to the fore in the centre midfield. However, the Ngongotaha quick raids continued to cause problems, they were disappointed not to earn a penalty when a striker went to earth in the Rangers penalty area. After twenty minutes, Rangers took the lead, through Ryan Wilson and then went further ahead, again through Ruiter. Both goals came from the ball being played to feet inside the Ngongotaha goal area. Ruiter then almost completed a well deserved hat-trick. A corner was headed across goal by Barrie Hawkes, and Ruiter's header at the far post was blocked on the line and cleared. The visitors did not fold however and came back, with a runaway striker neatly rounding the Rangers keeper, then a substitute blasting home a cross at the far post. With two minutes to go the scores were level. Ryan Wilson then broke the visitors' hearts with a well finished one-on-one with the Ngongotaha keeper. Both teams had run themselves into the ground, and even the spectators looked like they had been through the mill, when referee Warren Silva blew the final whistle. The final score Plains Rangers 4, Ngongotaha 3.
To come back twice showed a committed effort from the home team. Joel Ogilvy was named player of the day for his non-stop work rate, not far behind were left back George Dalgity, left half George Elliot and front runner Simon Ruiter. Next Saturday, Rangers are away to Otumoetai Team Two.
Forward to BOP Div Two points table