Rangers prepare for crunch match

Rangers AFC have set up a winner-takes-it-all clash with their closest rival next weekend, when the Nelson division one title goes on the line.

The defending champs will go into their match against FC Nelson at A&P Park as favourites, needing only a draw to clinch the title once more after easing past a slick Nelson Suburbs Under-18 side 4-1 on Saturday at Saxton Fields.

Guy Nolan scored Rangers’ first after 25 minutes but the visitors were rocked when their rivals equalised two minutes later.

However, Rangers were quick to reply, Nolan grabbing his second a few minutes later to give the Blenheim-based side a 2-1 lead at the break.

They picked up an insurance goal on the 79-minute mark, player/coach Tore Waechter on target, then top scorer Keagan Mortimer grabbed their fourth with two minutes remaining.

Defenders Boyd Elvy and Jordy Columbus worked well at the back, with the returning Marcelo Gonzalez strong in midfield. Players of the day were Pablo Gonzalez and keeper Luc Sherwood.

Rangers top the points table with 30 points, two clear of FC Nelson, with the competition, originally designed to run for three full rounds (18 games), now reduced to two rounds (12 games) reaching its conclusion on Saturday.

Rangers AFC manager Wolfie Waechter says his side are keen to claim three points from their final clash, thus completing a winning record against each of the teams in the league this season.

Meanwhile, draws were the order of the day in the Marlborough division one competition.

Both matches ended in deadlocks, Rangers Reserves drawing 1-1 with Trojans, while Trojans Los Andes drew 2-2 with Central Buccaneers.

In a topsy-turvy clash, Los Andes led 1-0 at halftime but Buccaneers levelled after an hour with a stunning strike from distance. Twenty minutes later the South Americans went ahead 2-1, before a penalty to Buccaneers in injury time set up a frantic finish.

In the dying seconds Los Andes also earned a penalty but it was well saved by keeper Luke Steward to ensure the match finished all tied up.

A Ben Mesman goal in the first spell gave Trojans a 1-0 lead in the other match at A&P Park, however Rangers Reserves came out strongly in the second 45, Riley Ponder scoring a superb goal in the 70^th minute to even the ledger in a tightly-fought encounter.

In division two, Central Wolves beat Rangers City 4-1 while BV Masters downed the previously unbeaten Picton 2-0.

In division three, Renwick Lonewolves eclipsed Central Privateers 4-0 while Trojans Angels, helped by an Alex Duley hat-trick, beat Trojans Strikers 6-3.