The cumulative effects of playing three games in a week and the impact of injuries meant Plains Rangers’ men had a tough home outing with Tauranga City Juggernauts on Saturday.

Rangers had to do some reorganising with injuries to a couple of key players, and the visitors lived up to their name, firing some early salvoes to inflict damage.  

Rangers nearly got off to a flying start when young striker Joseph Spalding won the ball and tried to chip the keeper, but the shot cleared the bar.

Juggernauts immediately launched a huge ball downfield, which cleared the defence and their striker took the chance well.

Rangers got their passing game going and put together some nice moves. They came within a whisker of an equaliser when Ben McPherson got through down the right flank and pulled the ball across goal, but the resulting shot went agonisingly wide.

Five minutes later, Hamish Wilde went through the defence, but his shot was well saved by the Tauranga goalkeeper and the visitors counter-attacked straight back to score.

Juggernauts had Rangers shell shocked on the half hour when a cross from the right led to an own goal and just before halftime they curled in a delightful shot from 20 metres.

The halftime score of 0-4 was very lop-sided, although the home team had had a number of periods of good play.

Juggernauts bounced straight out of the gates after the break with a superb cross from the right, picking out the head of a striker who scored with a fine header.

Rangers had three more injuries to cause further re-organising and did well to contain their visitors for the rest of the game.

The final score: Plains Rangers’ men 0, Tauranga City Juggernauts 5.

Ben McPherson was named player of the day. He was at the heart of some great link-up play and gave his opponents problems all game.

Others to impress included Ian Gray and Kobi Wetting. Rangers men luckily have a bye this weekend, so it might allow for some injuries to heal.

On Sunday, Rangers’ women travelled to play Lakes FC at Ngongotahā. Rangers started off strongly, holding their shape well and managing to hold off the fast-paced through balls that Lakes were playing. Any close calls were kept out of the goal well by Rangers’ keeper Jenna Hines.

Rangers managed to gain the early advantage in the 17th minute with some excellent football. Sarah Sinkinson delivered a beautiful ball across the face of goal, which was buried into the Lakes net by Samantha Stewart. However, Lakes responded swiftly and levelled the score a mere 30 seconds later.

From this point, the Lakes gained a big confidence boost and managed to hold control of the game, putting the Rangers defence and goalkeeper under immense pressure, which saw the home team put another six goals away.

Rangers’ women did show promise with a few good counter attacks by both Gemma Stuckey and Olivia Ross, but, unfortunately neither of them found the back of the net.

Rangers gave it their all right up till the final whistle and left it all on the pitch.

The final score, Lakes FC 7, Plains Rangers 1.

Rangers’ player of the day was awarded to Lucy Cox-Ellison after a great effort in the back line.

This Sunday, Rangers’ women have another tough fixture, hosting top of the table Papamoa Legends at Edgecumbe, kick-off 12.30pm.