Under 12 boys got up for a good win over their Southern Raiders opponents, 6-1 I believe. Matthew Collins has made the right wing his own, and Callum Vanderkley was again very good. Didn't quite nail some of the basics in the first half but improved as the match went on.

Johno Burk scored from a nicely taken free kick from just outside the penalty box. A good bunch of lads, more than happy to listen and learn, and doesn't that make life easy for the coach.

Under 14 Red defeated George Town 11-0. George Town started well, and in the first ten minutes had plenty of the ball, making Rangers work hard for their possession. They certainly didn't look like a team that had been beaten 12-0 in both encounters so far this year. However, after the first goal was conceded, the heads went down, and the floodgates opened, After that, the game really wasn't worth playing. Can you believe that 11-0 actually flattered George Town? If not for Ash Vandervelde needing lengthy treatment on the ground for a nasty kick in the nose, I'm sure the result would have been uglier.

Under 14 Blue played a top of the table division 2 clash against the Westside Scorpions, with Rangers holding top spot by goal difference only. Rangers started well with Paul Kanu winning, then converting a penalty within the first minute. Rangers then dominated the next 20 minutes with Micah Worthington and Jacob Pedley continuing to enjoy fine form up front, and the back 4 dealing with everything that came their way. Scorpions worked their way back into the match, but Rangers had Jarred Geskus to thank for the half time lead after making some great saves. Rangers began the second half strongly, and before long had gone 2-0 up after Simon Vandervelde put one away that had been played across the face of the 6 yard box. Eli Den Hartog was on top down back winning the aerial contests, and Jacob continued to be busy up forward. Scorpions pulled back a late one after a bizarre free kick, but Rangers held on to remain top, now a match and goal difference ahead. Tyler Worthington was solid coming up from the under 12s to fill in.

Under 14 White defeated Deloraine 1-0 after a first half goal from Daniel DeRuiter. Rangers dominated the first half with Ethan Wynne and Rueben Hanson dominating at centre back, and Wes Pearce and Sam Nes using the ball well further up the ground. Opportunities were hard to create due to the crowded Deloraine defence. In the second half the Deloraine team got on top, and Rangers began to ball watch. Rueben and Jarred Nortje kept the team in the game with Jesse Brown again being called on to make the saves that kept our noses in front. Deserved the points, but only just.

Under 16 Blue played the top of the table Riverside Predators and went down 3-0. The boys were beaten by better opposition but still played reasonably well. Both Andrew and Chris Collins contributed, and once again a couple of absences hurt the cause. At least the boys are now maintaining composure under pressure, and they certainly do appear to have turned the corner. Before anyone gets too disappointed about being unable to win matches like this, we have to remember that we are the only club with both our teams in division 1.

Under 16 Red went down to the Westside Strikers 1-0. Rangers were the better side all night but couldn't convert. Hayden Vandervelde hit the inside of the post in the first half, but the ball skewed across goal, and Rangers had enough opportunities to be 2 or 3 up at the break. The second half was more even but a goal still looked unlikely, however it can be a cruel game. Once again, despite the complaining of the Strikers, they did get out of jail in terms of the refereeing decisions. Another studs up challenge, this time on Hayden, but not even a free kick, and our centre backs still have bruised jaws after their encounter with the "striker with wings". Alex Fulton conceded a free kick in the first half after apparently head butting the striker's elbow. Go figure!

The girls will complete the round with a match on Wednesday evening.  

Rod Fulton