Rangers book place in cup final

Rangers AFC eased into the final of the Prices Charity Cup with a commanding 5-0 victory in their semi-final showdown with Tahuna at A&P Park on Saturday.

Next week Rangers, the Nelson division one league champions, will travel to Saxton Field for the knockout competition final, taking on Nelson FC, who beat Nelson Suburbs under-23 2-1 in the other semi.

Rangers will head into the decider in good spirit after putting in a complete performance against Tahuna.

Although they led only 1-0 at half-time they had the lion’s share of possession and created a string of chances. Their only first half success came through the boot of winger Jack Morris, Rangers’ player of the day who churned out a high work rate and set up plenty of opportunities for his team mates to profit from.

The home side wasted little time after the break doubling their advantage, Carl Connor-McClean scoring from the penalty spot after Keagan Mortimer was felled in the box.

Five minutes later it was Mortimer’s turn, slotting the ball home after a piercing run from Louie Poletti.

Rangers continued to push forward, midfield maestro Bjorn Waechter battling injury to provide searching passes and stability in the centre of the park, alongside Harrison Pine and Tore Waechter.

Morris bagged his second with 12 minutes remaining, taking his chance well after a strong Mortimer run, then Connor-McClean iced their semifinal cake with his side’s fifth and his second two minutes later, a precise pass from Bjorn Waechter putting him through the back four defence.

With all their line-up playing their roles superbly, including subs Finn Hawes and Kane Elvy, Rangers gave Tahuna very few attacking options and created plenty of their own, a recipe they will have to repeat against the dangerous FC Nelson side if they are to do the double.

The Rangers AFC women’s side were defaulted to by Golden Bay this weekend.

KO Cup

The local Knockout Cup competition began on Saturday, with four sides making their way directly into the championship semifinals.

Central Buccaneers beat BV Masters 3-1 and they will meet Rangers Development, who downed Rangers Clubs of Marlborough 4-3 in one semi. The other play-off will feature Central Wolves, who beat Call Care Hotspurs 4-1 against Call Care Trojans, who strolled past Rangers Masters 9-1.

In the Knockout Cup bowl section Picton Young Guns beat Call Care Spartans 2-1 and Central Privateers overcame Call Care Youth 4-3 to join top seed Call Care Red in the semis. Spartans and Youth will meet on Wednesday to decide the fourth semi-finalist.