Two at the top in football shootout

Just two teams sit atop the Marlborough division one football table after the latest round of matches were played on Saturday.

Trojans AFC maintained their perfect record of four wins from four outings with a 11-2 drubbing of stablemates Trojans Strikers, Francisco Zimmerman scoring five times, while Reserves had a much tougher task, finally getting the better of Central FC 4-3.

This match was even most of the way, 2-1 to Reserves at halftime before Central levelled then went ahead 3-2. However, an 85th minute penalty to Campbell Ferguson, followed by a field goal by the same player in extra time decided the issue.

There were a couple of blow-outs - Renwick Lonewolves scored an 8-2 win over Trojans Spartans, Brooklyn Bartlett scoring four goals, Trojans Angels downing BV Masters 8-1, six goals going to Alex Duley.

Rangers Masters moved up the ladder with a 5-2 win over Picton FC, the scores tied 1-1 at halftime. Sam Pearson scored a hat-trick.

Central Wolves picked up their first win of the campaign, beating Rangers Colts 1-0, Marlborough cricket captain Joel Lavender scoring the decider.

In the final match, Rangers Athletic defeated Rangers City 4-2, Boyd Elvy scoring a hat-trick to decide a match which was level 1-1 at the break.

Points: Trojans AFC 12, Rangers Reserves 12, Renwick 10, Rangers Athletic 9, Rangers City 9, Trojans Angels 6, Picton 6, Rangers Masters 6, Central Wolves 5, Central FC 3, Trojans Strikers 3, BV Masters 1, Rangers Colts 0, Trojans Spartans 0.

In the senior women's grade, BV Chicks made it two wins in a row, beating Rangers Wairau Valley Weapons 6-0, while Trojans downed Picton 1-0.

Meanwhile Rangers AFC bowed out of the Chatham Cup on Sunday with a 6-1 loss to Nelson Suburbs.

Rangers scored first through Keagan Mortimer in the 20th minute but trailed 2-1 at halftime. Three goals in a six-minute period midway through the second spell put the issue beyond doubt, before the hosts added a sixth in the final minute at Saxton Fields.

Rangers management said, “We were under no illusions and went into this game as the underdog, with our young and inexperienced team.

“We told the boys to play their heart out and cherish the experience, which they did – they battled non-stop for 90 minutes against a very slick and technical very good Suburbs team.

“Despite the score line, this was a great effort by the young lads. Men of the match awards went to Boyd Elvy and Luc Sherwood.”

Rangers are back to league fixtures next weekend, hosting current competition leaders Tahuna at A&P Park.