Plains Rangers AFC
May 4th 2002 v Otumoetai One
Against the odds, Plains Rangers brought back three points from their BOP 2nd division fixture at Otumoetai One on Saturday. Rangers could only scrape together ten players for their game, and that included thirteen year old Jeremy "Grommy" Hawkes. Rangers won the toss and elected to play with a strong tail wind. This meant they were able to put pressure on their hosts for quite a bit of the half. In fact they were desperately unlucky not to take an early lead, when Hawkes back-flicked a Daniel Overdevest header against the Otumoetai crossbar. The rebound was scrambled to safety. After half an hour, Overdevest gave Rangers the lead when he curled a corner over the keeper with the assistance of the wind. Shortly after, the job became even tougher for Rangers, when livewire Ryan Wilson suffered a foot injury. He had no option but to continue, despite being considerably hampered. Half time came with Rangers still holding their lead.
The wind continued unabated for the second half, and the depleted Rangers line-up determined to battle into it as best they could. They kept possession whenever possible, and did manage the odd break out into the home team's half. However, work as Otumoetai did, they could not use their wealth of possession to advantage. Resolute defending from Overdevest, ably supported by David Dennis, Roger Hainsworth and Barrie Hawkes, gave them few good chances. While the swirling wind and bright sun could have caused Rangers' keeper Simon Ruiter many problems, he coped with the conditions superbly. Tireless work in the midfield from Wilson, George Elliot, Mark Jeynes and Brendan Cusack kept the pressure on the Otumoetai team throughout. It was with great relief that Rangers heard referee Pat Ashby blow the final whistle. The result Otumoetai One 0, Plains Rangers 1.
Rangers will take pride from their effort and any one of them could have been man of the match. Brendan Cusack was given the nod as he led by example in the unaccustomed centre midfield position with a ninety minute effort.
This Saturday Rangers are at home for a top of the table clash with Tauranga City United. Kick-off at the Edgecumbe Domain is at 2 p.m.
Forward to BOP Div Two points table