Whakatane vs Plains Rangers

Whakatane Town Reserves made the short trip to Awakeri to play local rivals, and fellow strugglers, Plains Rangers, looking for a morale boosting win in this Bay 1 clash.
 
Both teams were under no illusions as to how big the three points would be, so a real blood and guts encounter was on the cards.  For Rangers, a first league win since April would see them open a 5 point gap over the leagues bottom two clubs, and a first Whakatane win since toppling league leaders Ngongotaha in early June would put them level on points with today's hosts, and off the foot of the table.
 
The Awakeri pitch, as normal, was in poor condition, but this did not stop both sides trying to get the ball on the ground and play neat, passing football.
 
Whakatane had the better of the opening exchanges with most of the first 10 minutes played in the Rangers half of the field.  Ben Miller made the early breakthrough only to see his effort ruled out for offside.  This spurred Rangers into life and they gradually came more into the game.  Winning a free kick on 10 minutes, ex Whakatane player Tom Davison caught the visitors napping, and his quickly taken shot placed expertly into the far corner of the net.
 
What followed was a really good advertisement for Baywide football, and an enthralling game of end to end football.  While Whakatane had a good share of possession, aided unfairly by the referees whistle, Rangers were having the better of the goal scoring opportunities.  Whenever Whakatane were getting in with a sight on goal, Barrie Hawkes was expertly guiding his young defensive charges to stifle the Whakatane attacks.  Whenever Christian Wetting was getting within breathing distance of Ben Miller the referee was blowing for a free kick!
 
On the half hour mark Whakatane got their rewards, and a little bit of luck that has been missing for most of the season.  Jordan Whittaker picked up the ball in a wide position, beat his man and sent a lofted ball across field towards the back post.  With the Rangers keeper beaten the ball struck the post and nestled into the back of the net.  Whether it was intentional or a cross is still open to debate, but if it goes in it counts, so we wont deny Whittaker his first goal of the season.
 
The rest of the half continued with Rangers carving out some good opportunities, and Wetting getting penalised for standing on Millers shadow.
 
Half Time 1 - 1
 
The second half continued the good football from the first half.  A really even contest, with the ball moving quickly from end to end.  Rangers continued to create the better opportunities, and were unlucky to see the ball bounce back off the cross bar from a fierce drive.  At the other end, Carwyn Evans forced the Rangers keeper into a good save to keep the hosts on level terms.
 
Both sides made changes, introducing fresh legs, and looking for fresh impetus to provide that cutting edge.  Chances came and went at both ends, and as frustration set in one there was every possibility of things boiling over.
 
Both sides controlled their emotions to produce some really good football, and as the game looked to be heading for a deserved stale mate, Dylan Arthur popped up with an 88th minute winner.  A cross field ball taken well on the far side and put away well.  The locals were noisy, the visitors left sickened.  It was a cruel blow so late in the game.
 
Full Time 2 - 1 Rangers
 
All credit to Rangers for the three points, and a win that keeps them out of the relegation places. For Whakatane, another massive game next week, with second bottom Taupo the visitors to Rex Morpeth Park for our final home game of the season.
 
Scott Holmes was immense in goal for Whakatane today, and Jordan Whittaker played well, but McDonalds player of the day went to Connor Davies for an excellent game at left back.