Rangers AFC back on track

Rangers AFC got back on the winning way on Saturday, scoring a 6-1 win over FC Nelson Karenni in Nelson.

After losing their previous two matches, a 4-1 loss to FC Nelson in the Nelson division one competition, then going down 4-0 to Nelson Suburbs Southern League side in a Chatham Cup clash a week later, Rangers’ season was in the balance.

However, the defending Nelson division one champs regrouped quickly and, despite heading west with a depleted squad, put six of the best past a dangerous Karenni side on a soggy, bumpy Victory Square pitch.

Leading the way was prolific striker Keagan Mortimer who bagged four of Rangers’ goals, two each side of the break. Sam Pearson claimed the first, allowing the visitors to take a 3-0 lead into halftime.

Mortimer completed his hat-trick soon after oranges, and although the home side replied to make it 4-1, further goals to Mortimer and Kane Elvy saw the Blenheim boys complete a comprehensive victory which leaves them on top of the standings, leading by two points from FC Nelson, who lost to Karenni the previous weekend.

Player of the day award went to Mortimer, with strong showing from Guy Nolan and Pablo Gonzales as well as Luc Sherwood and Jordan Columbus.

Rangers have a bye next weekend, then a double header on Friday and Sunday of Matariki weekend.

Meanwhile, on the local scene, there were wins to Trojans and Trojans Los Andes in division one.

Trojans scored a morale-boosting 4-2 win over Rangers after leading 1-0 at the break, helping revive a season where results have gone against them thus far.

On the adjoining ground, striker Francisco Zimmerman was on target as Los Andes came away with a 3-1 win over Rangers Reserves in a free-flowing match. Zimmerman scored in the first half to give Los Andes a 1-0 advantage at the break, but Henry Piddington replied for the Reserves, the even scoreline a reflection of the closeness of the contest.

However, it was Los Andes who finished stronger, Alan Zarate scoring from the spot then Zimmerman adding his second five minutes later to wrap up the points.

In division two, Picton Crow Tavern continue to show the way, beating Rangers City 7-3, Isaac Rawlings-Briggs bagging a hat-trick. Central Wolves scored a 5-1 win over BV Masters, Renwick Lonewolves downed Central Privateers 3-1, Trojans Angels defeated Trojans Spartans 7-2 while Rangers Masters, buoyed by a Shane Evans hat-trick, beat Trojans Strikers by the same score.

Earlier in the week the Marlborough Boys’ College First XI defeated Motueka High School 10-0 at A&P Park in torrential rain to clinch a spot at the forthcoming NZ school division one champs.

They will now meet Nelson College, probably on July 16, to decide who gets higher seeding for the nationals.