Rangers AFC close in on title
Keagan Mortimer lashes home one of his five goals on Saturday. Photo Peter Jones.
Rangers AFC got their Nelson division one season back up and running with a comprehensive victory at A&P Park on Saturday.
The region’s flagship side have been sidelined due to weather and ground issues for the past month but showed the enforced break has done them no harm with a 6-1 victory over Richmond.
Their win propels them back to the top of a re-shaped competition, reduced to two rounds after the aforementioned issues.
They have a two-point lead over FC Nelson with two games to play, one of them against their closest rival.
On Saturday they quickly took control of the match. After just four minutes striker Keagan Mortimer bagged the first of his five goals, taking full advantage of a fumble by the Richmond keeper to force the ball home.
By halftime he had his hat-trick, showing clinical scoring technique after being put clear by some clever through balls from midfield.
Sam Pearson got in on the act soon after the break before Keagan slotted home two more goals to complete a satisfactory outing for both himself and the Rangers crew, who’s training regime had been limited.
Despite that they gelled quickly, Tore and Bjorn Waechter plus Jono Masters controlling the midfield while Kane Elvy and Jack Morris roamed out wide. Callum McDonald, Jordy Columbus and Boyd Elvy were composed in defence.
Richmond, marshalled by central defender Zac Muir, managed a consolation goal to Ayush Reddy in referee’s time but had to bow to a well-organised and motivated Rangers’ outfit.
Marlborough senior football results: Division one - Rangers Reserves 3 Central Buccaneers 1; Los Andes 2 Rangers Colts 0. Division two – Picton 5 Renwick 4; Trojans Strikers 7 Trojans Angels 3; Rangers City 13 Central Privateers 2; Rangers Masters 6 BV Masters 2; Central Wolves 3 Trojans Spartans 0.