Reserves, Buccaneers tied at the top
Rangers Katipos' player Alex Smith lines up a shot on goal during his side’s match against Trojans Thunder at A&P Park on Saturday. Photo Peter Jones.
Rangers Reserves and Central Buccaneers continue to show the way in the Marlborough division one football race.
Both sides scores victories on Saturday to maintain their strong start to the season.
Buccaneers, who have played a game less, notched a 3-1 win over Trojans Los Andes. An early Ryan Palmer goal saw them lead 1-0 at halftime, then further strikes by Ben Shallcrass and Brendan Jackson moved them into a 3-0 lead midway through the second spell before Alejandro Renzi pulled one back for the South American-flavoured side.
First half goals to Rhys Yockney and Ben Lindfield propelled Reserves to a 2-0 victory over Trojans in the other match.
In division two action, Picton Crow Tavern made it a four-from-four start to their campaign with a 1-0 win over BV Masters, Rangers City downed Trojans Spartans 8-2, Rangers Masters beat Trojans Angels 3-2, Trojans Strikers overcame Central Privateers 4-1 and a Steve McGinnitty hat-trick guided Renwick Lonewolves to a 6-4 triumph over Central Wolves.
Meanwhile, Rangers AFC continued their unbeaten march in the Nelson division one competition, disposing of the Nelson Suburbs under-18 side 10-0 at A&P Park on Saturday.
The Suburbs side is a very youthful development team and, although their first two games in the league have resulted in 1-0 scorelines, they were no match for a Rangers side close to full strength.
The home side created chances aplenty, striker Keagan Mortimer helping himself to five goals while both Sverre and Tore Waechter notched a brace and Sam Pearson added the 10th.
Rangers’ manager Wolfie Waechter said the youngsters had played with plenty of spirit but they found it, “hard to compete in terms of physicality and obviously experience”.
“You have to play well to score 10 goals though,” he added.
Their player of the day was Kane Elvy, who was played out of position at left back and kept the Suburbs attackers subdued, as well as putting in some accurate corner deliveries.
Rangers face two tough away matches. On Saturday they meet closest challengers FC Nelson, also unbeaten, then they have a tough Chatham Cup round two match against Nelson Suburbs top team, who play in the Southern League. Both matches are away.
Standings: Rangers 15, Tahuna 11, FC Nelson 10, Nelson Suburbs Reserves 6, FC Nelson Karenni 3, Richmond 1, Nelson Suburbs U18 0