Football competition closes right up

A scoreless draw with Tahuna FC on Saturday has seen Rangers AFC slip into a torrid three-way battle for the Nelson division one football title.

With two more games to be played in the league, Rangers and Richmond are tied on top, with FC Nelson just a point behind. Fortunately for Rangers they play both their main rivals at home over the next two weeks, leaving their future firmly in their own hands.

On Saturday they travelled to Nelson to play Tahuna and, with the main pitch water-logged, they elected to play on the No 2 field which barely measures the minimum dimensions of a senior football field.

Rangers started well, their short, sharp passing and rapid ball movement creating a flood of goal scoring opportunities for Tore Waechter, Keagan Mortimer, Harrison Pine, Julien Delgado and Jono Masters, only to be denied by Tahuna's outstanding goalkeeper or the woodwork.

Tahuna defended well and launched a few counter attacks but seldom threatened Liam Kennedy in Rangers' goal.

Rangers kept pressing in the second half, now into a strong wind, and despite Pine, Ryan Palmer and Bjorn Waechter dominating midfield and Dylan Endersby, Josh Clamp and Sam Pearson being introduced, fortunes did not change and the game ended 0-0. Aaron Hayes played a top game, venturing into the opposition penalty box at every set piece in a bid to force the winner.

BV Bullets win

Meanwhile, goal scoring was not a problem as women’s side BV Bullets downed FC Nelson at A&P Park on Saturday.

Despite ball control being an issue on such a gusty day, the home side looked dominant for most of the first half, scoring four of their goals before the break.

Riley Preece scored once early and twice later to clinch a hat-trick, with Lea Poletti adding the other.

FC Nelson had their chances in the early part of the second half, but BV wrapped it up through a goal from Maddy Rowe, who created several strong scoring opportunities.

Player of the day was Preece, who filled in as keeper and saved a penalty.

Local leagues

Call Care Trojans made it two-from-two in the Marlborough division one league on Saturday, downing Central Wolves 5-1, with Jack Morris scoring four goals. In the other match Rangers Development beat Central Buccaneers 4-2 after leading 4-0 at halftime.

In division two Call Care Hotspurs downed BV Masters 4-3, all Hotspurs’ goals coming from South American Francisco Zimmerman. Rangers Clubs of Marlborough won the other match, downing Central Privateers 2-1.

In division three, Picton overpowered Rangers Masters 6-1 while Call Care Spartans downed Redwood 4-0.