Rangers Athletic go top
Nathan Mathieson, left, and Cameron Oakes contest possession during the exciting 3-3 draw between Rangers Reserves and Trojans AFC at Oliver Park on Saturday. Photos Peter Jones.
There is a new leader in the Marlborough senior men’s division one grade. With the previous leaders, Rangers Reserves and first round winners Trojans AFC, battling to a 3-3 draw at Oliver Park on Saturday, Rangers Athletic have leapfrogged them to the top of the table.
Athletic scored a 2-0 victory over Rangers Masters, both goals coming in the first half courtesy of Griffin Carter and Boyd Elvy.
The match between Trojans AFC and Reserves had plenty of plot twists. There was a spate of very early goals, Brayden Livingstone putting Trojans ahead after just two minutes, then Campbell Ferguson and Cameron Oakes replying for Rangers within five minutes.
That remained the halftime score, but Trojans striker Livison Madumira struck twice in the first 10 minutes of the second spell to give his side the ascendancy, before Ferguson bagged his second midway through the half to draw the sides level, a scoreline that remained despite plenty of chances being created at either end.
In the other div one match Central FC defeated Rangers City 2-1.
In division two, Central Wolves stayed on top with a 6-2 defeat of Trojans Spartans, BV Masters prevailed in a 5-4 thriller against Trojans Strikers, Renwick downed Picton 3-2 while Rangers Colts won by default over Trojans Angels.
Standings
Division one: Rangers Athletic 9, Rangers Reserves 7, Trojans AFC 7, Central 3, Rangers City 0, Rangers Masters 0.
Division two: Central Wolves 9, Picton 6, Renwick 6, Rangers Colts 6, Trojans Strikers 3, Trojans Spartans 3, BV Masters 3, Trojans Angels 0.
Rangers win again
Meanwhile, Rangers AFC continued on their winning way in the Nelson division one competition on Saturday, beating Golden Bay Mountain Goats 2-1 at Guppy Park in Nelson.
The prolific Keagan Mortimer opened the scoring in the 15th minute, a lead Rangers held until the 79th minute when Golden Bay equalised through a superb strike by influential Alex Ridsdale. However, six minutes later Rangers went back in front, Tore Waechter converting a penalty after he was fouled in the box, and the visitors held on to take all three points against a much-improved opponent.
Next week Rangers are away to Suburbs Reserves, both sides chasing second spot behind the runaway leaders FC Nelson.
Points table: FC Nelson 36, Tahuna 27, Rangers 25, Suburbs Reserves 23, Richmond 8, Golden Bay 2.