Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers were at home to the high flying Rotorua United White team in BOP division one on Saturday.
Rangers were determined to be competitive across the park with the experienced Rotorua outfit and the game was fiercely fought at times. Rangers had their moments on attack and won a number of corners, and debutant striker Bhima Wycherley came close with a break away run. Rotorua also had their chances, and they were kept out by staunch defence, excellent goalkeeping by stand-in keeper Jono Whitaker, and a touch of luck. The visitors were awarded a penalty after one of their strikers was brought down in the box, but Dave Geraets blasted the shot onto the cross bar. The score at half time was 0 - 0.
In the second half the contest continued with little quarter given, but quite a lot asked for from referee James Crosswell. There were some testy tackles from both sides. After fifteen minutes, a Rotorua attack brought success, with a cross headed in. Whitaker left the field injured, but led by player of the day Mark Jeynes, the defence held firm. However, Rotorua did well to keep Rangers pinned in their own half for much of the final twenty minutes and so retained their slim lead. The final score Plains Rangers 0, Rotorua United White 1.
This Saturday Rangers have a local derby with Whakatane Visique at Rex Morpeth Park. Kickoff is at 2.30 pm.