Plains Rangers AFC
August 3rd 2002 v Tauranga City United Team One
Plains Rangers efforts to turn the tables on their Tauranga City United visitors, in BOP division two on Saturday, turned into a gruelling battle.
Tauranga got off to the best start on the hard and bumpy Edgecumbe Domain. Rangers maintained an unfortunate habit of conceding an early goal. They were caught in possession in defence, the ball was squared across the Rangers goal and a visiting striker buried into the goal. Rangers came back well, and gradually gained ascendancy in the midfield. An astute pass from Sjoerd Overdevest found Ryan Wilson inside the Tauranga penalty area, and he scored with a superbly hit shot on the turn. Rangers had the greater share of possession for the rest of the game, but couldn't quite manage the winning goal. Wilson hit the post. Overdevest twice had well hit free kicks tipped over the bar by the Tauranga keeper. Although the visitors were venting their frustrations on referee Michel Nillesen, they also managed to keep the Rangers team out by defending in numbers. The final score was Plains Rangers 1, Tauranga City United 1.
Rangers' player of the day was Sjoerd Overdevest, who was outstanding in the midfield. Keeper Matt Aberhart was also in very good form, dealing with the ever dangerous Tauranga counter attacks capably. Rangers have a Saturday off this weekend, but will look forward to taking on runaway league leaders Tauranga Boys College under lights at Papamoa the following Tuesday (13 August). Kick-off is timed for 7.30 p.m.
Forward to BOP Div Two points table