Turning the tables tasted sweet for Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers when they hosted Te Puke in BOP division one on Saturday. This was the third meeting of these two sides, with Te Puke having won both previous meetings narrowly.
Rangers started the game strongly, putting together some good moves and creating chances. Defensively too, Rangers were doing well, with Joel Ogilvy and Jason Pullar shutting down the Te Puke midfield and also orchestrating a lot of the build-up play. However several opportunities went begging and it was well into the half when Rangers finally converted one. Brendan Oats headed the ball through for James Krause to run onto and score.
The second half started with a hiss and a roar, with Rangers scoring straight from the kick off. Some good passing put Krause through and he set the visitors back with a good finish. Ten minutes later Krause had his hat trick, when he calmly rounded the Te Puke keeper to score. Left winger Jordan Ogilvy got in on the act shortly after and had Rangers out to a 4 - 0 lead. To their credit, Te Puke were still showing plenty of fight, and in the space of two minutes, they scored twice. Firstly capitalising on some hesitation in the Rangers defence, and then scoring with a good goal. It was game on again, with debutant keeper John Noblett making two excellent saves to keep out long shots. However Rangers held firm, and retook control. Pullar floated in a free kick which was expertly back headed in by player-coach Aaron Muggeridge. The final score was Plains Rangers 5, Te Puke 2.
Rangers would be well pleased with their play and the result. The team's attitude was typified by the no-nonsense defending of Vince Russ, Chris Johnston, Dylan Arthur and Barrie Hawkes in the backs. James Krause was named player of the day.
This Saturday Rangers have a catch up game away to Rotorua United Blue.