Top sides notch victories

Both Marlborough-based sides chasing Nelson division one football titles picked up wins on Saturday.

The Rangers AFC men’s side overcame Golden Bay 4-0 in Richmond, while the BV Bullets women’s side took care of FC Nelson 2-0 in Blenheim.

Rangers made a slow beginning to their match, originally scheduled for Takaka. They had several chances to open the scoring but were unable to convert against a willing, physical opponent, meaning the match was tied up 0-0 at the break.

Striker Keagan Mortimer picked up Rangers’ first goal on the 60th minute mark, then two changes sparked a decisive period of play.

Adam Rose came on for Jono Masters and new arrival Sam Hickmott subbed in for Dylan Endersby, providing what player/coach Tore Waechter described as “an injection of energy at the right time”.

Rose won a penalty, which was converted by Waechter, then Mortimer bagged two more goals to complete a much-deserved hat-trick and wrap up the contest.

Waechter said Hickmott added plenty in a centre mid role, alongside the hard-working Bjorn Waechter, while Aaron Hayes and Jordy Columbus were safe and assured at the back. Player of the day was Mortimer.

While Rangers would have been expected to put a few more goals past Golden Bay, Waechter suggested “the scoreline doesn’t matter too much … we just wanted to play some good football”.

Next Sunday, Rangers meet FC Nelson in the first round proper of the Chatham Cup, the match kicking off at 3pm at Guppy Park. They have no league match on Saturday.

Meanwhile the BV Bullets celebrated their first home game of the season with an impressive showing a A&P Park.

After an early struggle for dominance, the home side were on the board first, player-of-the-day Tessa Hyland striking superbly from 30 metres on the 25-minute mark.

BV carried their lead into the break and came out firing after it. Shots from Freya Thompson, Baylee Connor-McLean and Taz Gilbert all testing the visiting keeper.

A well-timed tackle by Hannah Martin denied an FC equalizer before Hyland bagged her second to clinch the spoils for the home side.

Coach Scott Kennovin was delighted, saying it was “not only a good result but also a better performance than last week. We settled in to playing our own game much more.”

In Mayfield Motorworld division one action, Rangers Development and Central Wolves picked up wins but it was Central Buccaneers who produced the most telling result.

Their 2-2 draw with Call Care Trojans enabled them to maintain an unbeaten record and clinch first round honours, with Wolves finishing second equal on goal difference alongside Development.

Development downed BV Masters 5-0 at Athletic Park. Liam Clamp opened the scoring after just seven minutes, then Spencer Holmes added a second after 25 minutes to give Development a handy buffer at the break.

Jay Geris struck soon after halftime to establish a three-goal lead, then Boyd Elvy scored five minutes later to effectively decide the issue. Lucas Scantlebury scored their final goal in the final minutes, leaving the young side’s players and coaches happy with the scoreline, especially the fact they conceded no goals this week.

Holmes, Kane Elvy and Nikau Bell were Rangers’ players of the game.

At A&P Park, Wolves beat the improving Call Care Hotspurs 3-2.

Two first-half goals to Scott Wilkinson helped Wolves to a 2-1 halftime lead, Hotspurs’ goal scored by Diaz Carfil. George Bond tied the match up in the 70th minute but Wolves had the last say, Steve McCaa grabbing an 87th minute winner.

In the Buccaneers v Trojans match, Trojans led 2-1 at the break, courtesy of a Jack Morris double, to which Thomas Hall replied for Central just before oranges. The only goal of the second spell came immediately after the break, Hall bagging his second to level the scores, a situation that remained until the final whistle and enabled them to take out the first round.

In Mayfield Motorworld division two, Rangers Clubs of Marlborough beat Picton 5-3 in Picton, wrapping up first round honours, Redwood overcame Rangers Masters 4-0 and Central Privateers clinched second spot for the round by downing Call Care Spartans 4-1.