Rangers, Bullets come out on top

Victories to both Rangers AFC and the BV Bullets in Nelson division one matches highlighted Saturday’s Marlborough football action.

Rangers maintained their top position on the men’s points table with a 1-0 win over FC Nelson Locomotive at Nelson’s Neale Park.

On a field described by Rangers’ manager Wolfie Waechter as “a mudbath” the visiting side battled for rhythm and continuity against a team who sat back and threatened occasionally on the break.

The match bore a similarity to Rangers’ previous encounter, also won 1-0, with numerous early chances to score going unconverted.

The only goal of the game came in the 38th minute, a Harrison Pine shot from 20m skimming off the ground in front of the Locomotive keeper and flying into the net.

Waechter said Rangers, who dominated in terms of possession and chances created, deserved to win, especially as they “tried to play football” in difficult conditions.

With Aaron Hayes absent this week Tore Waechter dropped back to sweeper with the ever-reliable Jordie Columbus moving up to midfield. Both Kane Elvy and Keagan Mortimer enjoyed game time while right back Ryan Palmer was player-of-the-day.

Meanwhile, at A&P Park, BV Bullets bounced back to form with a 5-1 win over FC Nelson.

The home side immediately stamped their mark on the match, Lauren Sloan, Freya Thompson, Tessa Hyland, and Abby Owen all going close in the first five minutes before Tiana Williams opened the scoring. Soon after, Sloan added a second before the visitors made it 2-1 with a well-taken strike against the run of play. However, Sloan’s second before the break allowed BV a handy 3-1 advantage.

After an even first half hour of the second spell BV asserted their dominance in the final 15 minutes, Sloan completing her hat-trick with a neat header then adding a fourth to wrap up a memorable day.

Coach Scott Kennovin described it as a “great effort from BV” and awarded joint player of the day to goalie Taz Gilbert and striker Sloan.

The round two winners of the local competitions were also decided on Saturday.

In Mayfield Motorworld division one, Call Care Trojans cemented their supremacy with a 7-1 victory over clubmates Call Care Hotspurs.

Trojans must still play a catch-up match against second-placed Central Buccaneers, who downed Rangers Development 4-0, but have enough of a points buffer to assure they take the honours.

Thomas Lupani scored a hat-trick for Trojans, Jack Morris bagging a brace.

The third division one match was won 3-2 by Central Wolves, courtesy of a Steve McCaa first half hat-trick.

The second-round division two crown was won by Rangers Clubs of Marlborough, who scored a 4-2 win over clubmates Rangers Masters.

Spartans, who notched a 5-2 win over Picton, finished second, while Redwood, despite losing 2-0 to Central Privateers, came third.

Final points:

Division one: Trojans 12, Buccaneers 7, Hotspurs 7, Wolves 6, BV Masters 5, Rangers Development 3.

Division two: Rangers COM 12, Spartans 10, Redwood 9, Privateers 8, Rangers Masters 4, Picton 0.

On Saturday the first round of the Knockout Cup competition will be played.