The reserves put on a clinic for the Riverside host’s returning to the form that won them the 2007 premiership.  The lads have a long way to go before they can start even contemplating that feat, but it was a great step in the right direction, considering they had put two solid results back to back.

Mark Jefferson and Ben deRuiter returned to the reserves from last weeks senior win against Launceston. Brendon Mulder also made his first start for 2010 at right back.

The boys knew they would need to be up to the task this week, knowing the Riverside outfit is capable playing some quality football. 

A tight first half had both teams creating chances, Rangers looked vulnerable early to the through ball, with the defense at times marking players, instead of holding shape, but after the opening 20 minutes, it was clear the Rangers reserves were up for this clash. 

A platter of chances were created, particularly from Pete Mcbeath, but Rangers opened the scoring when Chad Honey under pressure, ran onto a through ball following some relentless corner chances from Riverside that never seemed to end.  Honey gathered the long ball and balanced himself perfectly to dispatch the chance neatly away to the keepers right. 

It was to be the only goal of the half, but a decisive one.

The second half and Rangers put Riverside to the sword, some fine build up play gave Honey his second not long after the restart.

Mark Jefferson finally got his first goal as a Ranger after he struck a long range effort over the keeper and into the net.

Marcus Vanderharst scored his first in only his second game, direct from a corner with a beautiful in swinging corner to the near post and Chad Honey showed he has over come his fear of scoring closing the game with his second straight Hat trick and earning himself a place on the senior bench in the process. 

Whitemore was delighted with a 5-0 win in the reserves and said after the game, “The shape was great, we passed the ball really well.  Defense was excellent, well led by Ben deRuiter, the system worked perfectly and Chad again got a well deserved hat trick.