Plains Rangers AFC
June 22nd 2002 v Tauranga City United Two
Plains Rangers travelled to take on a youthful Tauranga City United Two in BOP division two on Saturday.
Rangers used a controlled passing game to mount their attacks, and had to contend with their hosts' plan of using the through ball for their fast breaking forwards to run onto. For the majority of the first half, both teams cancelled each other out, although the Rangers players became increasingly distracted by the decisions of the stand-in local referee. The half time score was nil all.
After the break, Rangers played into steady rain. They found themselves a goal down when a corner was not cleared sufficiently, and the ball was driven strongly into the goal. Spurred on by this, Rangers put the acid back on the Tauranga side. They went close to equalising when George Elliot broke through into the penalty area, but his well hit shot rebounded of the underside of the cross bar. With fifteen minutes left, Rangers grabbed the goal they were looking for when Ryan Wilson pounced on a good ball from the midfield and slammed it into the home team's net. Rangers had the best of the final stanza of the game, and were hot an attack when the final whistle blew. The score: Tauranga City United 1, Plains Rangers 1.
Rangers won't be entirely satisfied with the result, but the point was a hard earned one. Goalkeeper Matt Aberhart earned player of the day with an excellent display. His timing, when coming off the line, caused the home team to abandon their through ball tactic.
This Saturday Rangers are at home to Greerton, with whom they drew in the qualifying round. Kick-off at the Edgecumbe Domain is at 2 p.m.
Forward to BOP Div Two points table