Plains Rangers AFC
25 August 2001 v Otumoetai
Plains Rangers were on the wrong end of a number of dramas in their BOP division one game an Saturday. Rangers were at home to Rotorua City, with a reasonable chance of getting a good result.
However things went against the Rangers side early in the match. A City raid after five minutes ended with a cross hitting a defender's arm and referee Dan Hocking pointed to the penalty spot. The goal was scored. Ten minutes later an innocuous looking City attack ended in a goal after a crazy deflection put the ball past the stranded keeper. City then created an excellent goal, to be three ahead midway though the half. Rangers fortunes sank even lower shortly after when George Elliot was sent off for a tackle, that the City team later acknowledged did not warrant a red card. With everything flowing against the home team, referee Hocking awarded another penalty to the visitors when keeper Christian Wetting was judged, rather harshly, to have fouled an attacker. This chance was blasted over the top. Rangers battled through to the break without further incident.
The second half saw Rangers playing with a lot of spirit with their ten men. Rangers had an even share of the territory and forced a number of corners. However the visitors scored first after a move down their right wing and a shot from in front of goal. The play had by this stage become rather niggly and a player from each side was booked for tackles. From one of these free kicks, keeper Wetting came up and caught the City defence napping by lobbing it in behind them. Striker Felix Brandts did well to chest it down and shoot it into the corner of the city goal. Wetting also came up to take a free kick just outside the City penalty area. He hit a strong shot through the wall and the City keeper did very well to keep it out. Brendan Cusack also had a good attempt at goal for Rangers, with a well struck shot after a good run down the right wing. The game ended with Rangers still competing well despite their numbers and the soft ground. The score Plains Rangers 1, Rotorua City 4.
There seemed little justice for the home team in this game. Their player of the day was awarded to Brandts who had the strikers' duties all to himself after Rangers lost the man. Others to do well included defenders Daniel Overdevest, Barrie Hawkes and David Dennis. This Saturday, Plains Rangers have their final game of the season, away to local rivals Kawerau.
Forward to BOP Div One points table