Plains Rangers AFC
July 6th 2002 v Kawerau
In an upset result, Plains Rangers were bested by Kawerau in their BOP division two local derby on Saturday.
A Rangers line-up, modified by the effects of the current 'flu', took the field intending to keep up their challenge for the league. Rangers dominated the first half to quite an extent, but could not convert their possession into goals. At half time, the game was scoreless.
The game changed immediately after the interval. George Elliot came on for Rangers, and after a good run down the left wing, he put an excellent cross across the Kawerau goal. Joel Ogilvy, playing his first game for a month, swept it into the net. However, the home team came back. Kawerau won a corner, and it came off a defender into the Rangers net. The half continued with Rangers having more possession, but finding it hard to make inroads into the Kawerau defence. The home team made a number of quick break-outs, but there were frequently caught off-side. However, with twenty minutes to go, a Kawerau raid had an attacker brought down just outside the Rangers area. The free kick was taken before the Rangers team had finished organising themselves, and Kawerau had the lead. Rangers piled on the pressure in the final portion of the game and came very close to scoring. In one goalmouth melee, Warren Gee had a shot blocked on the line by a Kawerau defender. Their keeper then made an outstanding save to deny Sjoerd Overdevest as he broke through into a one-on-one situation. The game ended with the score Kawerau 2, Plains Rangers 1.
On the positive side for Rangers, it was good to see Colin Lawrence back for his first game of the season. He did very well slotting into the centre midfield. Fullback Jason Shaw earned player of the day with a spirited performance. This Saturday, the leagues take a break for the knock-out Tasman Cup competition. Rangers have drawn a mid-table first division side, Otumoetai, away. If Rangers can field a strong line-up, they should be able to give their opponents a run for their money.
Forward to BOP Div Two points table