A thrilling BOP div clash at the Edgecumbe domain on Saturday turned into the Dan and Dean show. Plains Rangers Edgecumbe were at home to Tauranga City United, hoping to turn the tables on a humbling defeat in the last round.
Rangers began in fine style. A sweeping move ended with Matt Ward laying the ball back to Dan Logan who sent in a great cross for Dean Butterworth to power into the United goal. Rangers went further ahead after Bas Overdevest set Logan up with a chance which he finished emphatically from close range. Rangers went to sleep for two minutes and the game was suddenly level as United bounced back. Late in the half a ball from Barrie Hawkes put Logan through and again he made no mistake.
Rangers struck again immediately after half time, Butterworth the provider, Logan the finisher. For a while, with a 4 - 2 lead, it looked like a comfortable win for the home team. However a powerful long range shot brought the Tauranga side back into the game. The visitors hit the crossbar, with the excitement mounting. Ernst Vos robbed a United defender of the ball and pulled it across goal for Butterworth to finish off at the far post. In a nail biting finish, United grabbed another after confusion in the Rangers defence, and then keeper Matt Aberhart pulled off a fine save to confirm the win. The final score Plains Rangers 5, Tauranga City United 4.
While Rangers looked the stronger team going forward, it was to United's credit they stayed in the game and made it a great spectacle for the fans. Referee Neil Walker did his bit to make sure it was a free flowing, good spirited game with a consistent display. Dan Logan was named player of the day for Rangers. Both he and Dean Butterworth were in deadly form.
This Saturday Rangers have a much awaited game against local rivals Whakatane Town. Both the earlier meetings between these teams have ended in entertaining draws. The upcoming game at Rex Morpeth Park should be a classic.