Friday football for all
Keagan Mortimer scored his second hat-trick in a row on Friday. Photo Peter Jones.
Rangers AFC went back-to-back in the Nelson division one football competition on Friday, following up their 5-1 victory over Richmond last weekend with a 7-3 win over Golden Bay at Jubilee Park in Richmond.
The match, a free-flowing affair on a slippery, heavy pitch, was effectively over by halftime, Rangers ahead 6-2. Striker Keagan Mortimer bagged a first half hat-trick, Josh Clamp, Alex Uderzo, and Tore Waechter (penalty) adding the others. Clamp claimed a brace with his side’s seventh goal after the break.
Rangers’ management rued a few defensive errors that Golden Bay took advantage of to claim three goals, but were happy that they were again able to create a flood of chances at the other end.
Clamp and Tana Connor-McClean had a busy 90 minutes on the wings, Mortimer was always dangerous up front, the Waechter brothers Tore and Bjorn were strong in midfield while Uderzo was voted player of the day. Youngsters Archie Cambell and Cameron Oakes came on as second half substitutes.
Standings after 11 rounds: FC Nelson 27, Tahuna 24, Rangers 16, Suburbs Reserves 14, Richmond 8, Golden Bay 2.
Games in the Marlborough senior men’s open grade were also played on Friday.
Trojans AFC made it 13 wins from 13 starts with a 6-1 victory over clubmates Trojans Angels, while second-placed Rangers Reserves won by default over Central Wolves.
Third-placed Rangers Athletic notched a 7-0 win over Picton while Central FC, placed fourth, managed a 1-0 victory over Trojans Spartans.
Renwick Lonewolves edged out Trojans Strikers 4-3, Rangers Colts downed Rangers Masters 4-2, while Rangers City overcame BV Masters 4-2.
Latest standings after 13 rounds: Trojans AFC 39, Rangers Reserves 34, Rangers Athletic 31, Central FC 28, Rangers City 27, Rangers Masters 22, Trojans Angels 20, Renwick 17, Central Wolves 14, Rangers Colts 13, Picton 10, BV Masters 6, Trojans Strikers 4, Trojans Spartans 0.