Plains Rangers travelled to play Ngongotaha in the second round of the Miller Cup on Saturday, knowing it would be a challenge, with the hosts one place ahead of them, in second, in the league.
Rangers started the game playing into a strong breeze in the first half and knocked the ball around in good style. The home team got into the game too, playing some good, non-compromising football. Midway through the half the action began to heat up. Rangers captain Jimmy Hart had to head a dangerous ball away from a free kick. A Hamish Wilde shot from distance was kept out by the Ngongotaha's goalkeeper's fingertips. A Hart freekick bounced agonisingly away off the crossbar. Rangers went close again when Joseph Spalding's strike went just wide. The home team went close again. Christian Wetting pulled out a fine diving save to keep out another Ngongotaha attack. Rangers surged forward and had the bad luck to have Hart flattened by the home team keeper as they both went for a dangerous cross. Unfortunately, Hart was unable to continue, causing a rearrangement of the visiting lineup. At half time the game was 0 – 0.
The second half started with the wind intensifying to almost gale force for a while. This time Rangers had it behind them and were able to pin the hosts back for quite a while, their clearances at times floating back towards their own goalmouth! Ngongotaha eventually got go forward and the ding dong battle continued. Wetting pulled off a terrific reflex save from close range. Back down the other end, Ronan Mitchell was denied by a last-ditch tackle as he was shooting at the home team goal. Ngongotaha won a free kick just outside the box and instead of shooting, cheekily sent the ball in for a runner who was thwarted by a brilliant Wetting save, this time with his legs. Spalding beat a couple of Ngongotaha defenders and his shot was just tipped wide by the keeper. Despite the exciting play and chances created, the 90 minutes was up, with the score still, miraculously, 0 – 0.
Being a cup game, a result was needed, so it went straight to a penalty shoot-out. Player-coach Christian Wetting put the cream on the cake of a fine game, saving one of the penalties, while his shooters: Ollie Fort, Kobi Wetting, Wilde, Spalding and Ben McPherson all scored theirs. The score: 5 – 4 to Rangers. Christian Wetting was declared player of the day. Rangers will now advance to the quarter-finals, which aren't played until late August.
This Saturday Rangers men return to league action with an away trip to play Katikati. On Sunday, Rangers women have a home local derby against undefeated Whakatane Town. Kick-off at the Edgecumbe Domain is at 12.30pm.

Check out the happy team photo following the game.

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