Rangers in need of win against Hawke’s Bay

The New Plymouth Rangers are in Hawke’s Bay today to play Havelock North Wanderers in the Central Federation League.

After a disappointing home defeat to Gisborne Thistle last Saturday, the Peggy Gordon’s Rangers will be desperate to seek three points.

Tyler Snow and David Garner are still unavailable while Taku Warren will return from a nose injury and play for the club’s Taranaki Premier League side. Isaac Burroughs will return to the squad.

■ The Rangers women’s Federation League team has the bye this weekend, which will give Coach Andrew Moore time to reflect on a good start to life in a higher league. Some of the fringe players will be given a run in the local league tomorrow. Two players, Holly Kleinsman and Zara Erol-Watt have been selected for the New Zealand under 17 training camp later this year.

■ this weekend.

As expected FC Western, Moturoa and New Plymouth Boys’ High School (NPBHS) are the early season frontrunners.

The tie of the round will be at Lynmouth Park where FC Western hosts Rangers Reserves in what is normally a close contest.

Rangers’ coach Bevan Mayo only took over last week and despite a good first 70 minutes against Moturoa succumbed late on, where a lack of a pre-season showed.

FC Western has made a perfect start to the season winning both their first two matches notching 16 goals without reply. Simon Gibson will be their danger man having scored six goals in those fixtures.

FC Western should be too good for their cross-town rivals.

Moturoa and Kaitake should be too strong for Eltham and Waitara respectively, while Inglewood should have too much for their visitors Woodleigh in a bottom of the table clash.

The closest game should the Peringa United v NPBHS match.

Peringa suffered an unexpected loss to Kaitake last week but could upset the school team.