Rangers hunt down GB Goats

Rangers AFC continued their unbeaten record in the Nelson division one football league with a 5-0 win over Golden Bay Mountain Goats at Neale Park, Nelson on Saturday.

Rangers were without Jack Morris and Scott Belsham due to injuries, with Jordy Columbus watching from the sideline with a hamstring problem. Consequently, Tore Waechter found himself in the sweeper position, aided by Callum McDonald and Boyd Elvy. Cam Blair enjoyed his first start with Bjorn Waechter, Sverre Waechter, Kane Elvy and Sam Hickmott in midfield, Keagan Mortimer and Jono Masters in the forward positions.

The Goats had made a promising start to the season, with two wins and a narrow loss, so Rangers expected a very physical match, and that's what they got. After an even first half, where the visitors lost McDonald through injury, Rangers eventually went 1-0 ahead on the stroke of half time when Bjorn Waechter finished a quick counter attack and combination play with Masters and Mortimer.

They doubled their lead immediately after oranges, Mortimer picking up a through ball from Bjorn Waechter and pumping it past the keeper. Five minutes later Guy Nolan adding a third after replacing the hard-working Sverre Waechter. Rangers put the game to bed in the 68th minute when Mortimer scored his second, then the striker turned provider for Tore Waechter, who found the top left corner to complete the scoring.

Boyd Elvy had a top game in defence, Blair battled through his first 90 minutes while Nolan had an excellent game as a second half impact player.

Man of the match performances came from Mortimer, plus Bjorn and Tore Waechter.

Rangers’ next game is away to Motueka on Saturday.

Meanwhile, on the local scene, Rangers Reserves maintained their unbeaten Marlborough division one run with a comfortable 5-2 win over BV Los Cafeteros.

Reserves led 2-1 at the halftime break, goals to Elijah O’Donnell and an own goal pushing them ahead. Francisco Zimmerman scored for the South American side.

In the second half a double to Hugo Llosa and a second to O’Donnell ensured Rangers would finish on top, Kevin Viveros adding a second for the BV crew.

In the other div one game, Central Buccaneers came out on top of a club derby with Central Wolves, winning 4-0. The prolific Thom Hall scored the only goal of an even first half, then added three more after the break to keep the defending champs well in the equation for top honours.

In division two, Picton Crow Tavern and BV Masters lead the points table, both securing wins on Saturday.

Picton romped past Rangers Masters 7-1, while BV Masters managed a 3-2 win over Trojans Reds.

Four goals to Ben Burridge propelled Rangers City to a 7-2 win over Central Privateers while Alex Duley scored a hat-trick as Trojans Spartans downed clubmates Trojans Strikers 4-1.