Three teams atop football table
Deacon McIntyre, left, battle with a Renwick rival during his side's 12th grade match at Oliver Park on Saturday. Photo Peter Jones.
The Marlborough senior men’s football competition continues to produce a mix of close encounters and blow-out scores.
On Saturday seven more games were played across the region, leaving three teams tied at the top of the table by day’s end.
Four games were decided by a one-goal margin.
Top of the table Rangers Reserves scored a 2-1 win over stablemates Rangers Colts, courtesy of a Campbell Ferguson winner in the 54th minute. Rangers City, buoyed by four goals to striker Ben Burridge, scored a 5-4 win over Central FC, Trojans Angels came up with a late winner to Scott Booth, securing a 1-0 win over Central Wolves while Picton Crow Tavern downed Trojans Spartans 2-1, all the goals coming in the second half.
The other matches were more clear cut, Rangers Masters romping home 8-0 over Trojans Strikers, Trojans FC eclipsing Rangers Athletic 5-2 and Renwick Lonewolves downing BV Masters 4-2.
Points after three rounds: Trojans FC 9, Rangers Reserves 9, Rangers City 9, Renwick 7, Rangers Athletic 6, Picton 6, Central FC 3, Trojans Angels 3, Trojans Strikers 3, Central Wolves 2, BV Masters 1, Rangers Colts 0, Trojans Spartans 0.
Rangers AFC win again
Meanwhile, in Nelson men’s division one action, Rangers AFC backed up their 5-0 win over Golden Bay in a Chatham Cup tie last weekend, beating the same opposition 4-0 in a league match at Jubilee Park on Saturday.
Again, they kept a clean sheet against a willing opponent, while making the most of their scoring opportunities.
With Josh Clamp notching a first half double and Jeimar Zapata continuing his scoring streak, Rangers led 3-0 at halftime and had the game under control.
A final goal to Tore Waechter after an hour ensured the Mountain Goats had too steep a hill to climb.
Player of the day was centre back James Parley.
Next week, Rangers take on Nelson Suburbs’ top team at Saxton Field on Sunday in the first round proper of the Chatham Cup.
Nelson division one table after three rounds: Tahuna 7, Rangers 6, FC Nelson 6, Suburbs Reserves 4, Golden Bay 1, Richmond 1.