Luck was not running with Gary Fowell Builders when they traveled to take on Te Puke, in soccer BOP division one on Saturday. The home team was bolstered by several Federation league players, and the game was fast and furious from the outset.
Te Puke's quick forwards gave Rangers' stand in keeper Brendon Oats a couple of scares, but good build up play had the visitors creating chances too. James Mitchell had a couple of useful free kicks that the Te Puke keeper scrambled to get to. Late in the half Rangers lost possession near half way and a Te Puke midfielder grabbed the ball and provided a cross which was scored from.
At half time the score was 1 - 0 to the home team. Rangers upped their game after the break and after fifteen minutes got back on level terms. A good run by Mitchell saw him brought down in the box. Captain Jason Pullar stepped up to take the resultant penalty in good style and the scores were even. The Te Puke keeper earned himself the player of the day with several fine saves. He managed to parry a goal bound left foot strike from Mitchell, and made a good save from a flying Pullar volley. Left winger Jordan Ogilvy caused mayhem, drawing the keeper out wide and the ball was cleared back into the midfield. The good number of Rangers supporters held their breaths as Mitchell fired a shot from 35 metres at the empty goal only to see it bounce back from the post. The rebound was put narrowly wide. If either team were going to score a winner, it looked like Rangers, but late in the game, fortune went the way of the Te Puke side. A hopeful ball, floated in from the right was missed by several people in front of goal and bounced off a Rangers defender into his own net for the winner. The final score Te Puke 2, Plains Rangers 1.
It was a good performance with no reward for the Rangers team. Jason Pullar was deservedly named player of the day for his outstanding work in midfield. James Mitchell and Kirk Bain were also in top form.
This Saturday, Rangers have another tough test. They are at home to high fliers Rotorua United White, who are fresh from walloping Visique Whakatane 7 - 1 on Saturday. Kick off at Awakeri is at 2.30 pm.