Rangers AFC back in business

Rangers AFC have made a flying start in defence of their Nelson men’s premier division one football crown.

Despite missing several key players, the Blenheim-based crew travelled over the hill to Nelson on Saturday and came home with a 4-1 win over the Nelson Suburbs Reserves side at Saxton Fields.

Rangers began strongly against an unpredictable opponent whose personnel changes regularly depending on the demands of their Southern League team.

They fielded a defensive line of Boyd Elvy, Aaron Hayes and Callum McDonald in front of keeper Luc Sherwood. In midfield, player/coach Tore Waechter operated alongside Jono Masters and Marcelo Gonzalez, while Elijah O’Donnell and Kane Elvy roamed out wide and Bjorn Waechter teamed up with Hugo Rowden up front.

They did not take long to find their range, scoring withing two minutes. A through ball from Tore Waechter was cleared by the Suburbs’ defence, but only to the feet of Gonzalez, who chipped the keeper from 35m.

Six minutes later they were in again, Masters heading home a crisp cross from O’Donnell on the right.

With regular chances coming it was not long before Rangers added to their lead. This time Bjorn Waechter was the recipient of some clever lead-up play in the box, eventually passing the ball into the empty net.

Leading by three at the break it would have been easy for the visitors to relax but they kept up the intensity, netting their fourth after 64 minutes. This time the three Waechter brothers combined, Tore and Bjorn setting up a chance for second half substitute Sverre who calmly slotted home.

Twelve minutes later Suburbs scored a consolation goal, but by then the game was well and truly wrapped up.

Tore Waechter said veteran defender Hayes was player of the day, narrowly from Kane Elvy while O’Donnell and substitute Israel Milan had put in big shifts.

With players such as Sam Pearson, Jordy Columbus, Keagan Mortimer, Guy Nolan and Jack Morris set to rejoin Rangers’ ranks in the coming weeks the squad has enviable depth this season.

Nelson division one is a seven-team competition this year. Alongside Rangers and Suburbs Reserves are Richmond, Tahuna, FC Nelson, Nelson Suburbs under-18 and FC Nelson Karenni.

Rangers miss out on a game next weekend, with Karenni defaulting early due to player absences.

Rangers return to action on Friday, April 25, when they take on Motueka in the Chatham Cup preliminary round. Last season’s Marlborough division one winners, Central Buccaneers, are the other Marlborough-based side to contest the Cup this season.