Rangers play well despite conditions

Central Federation League

New Plymouth Rangers welcomed Team Whanganui to Merrilands Domain on Sunday.

Despite some treacherous conditions, early exchanges were even, with both teams getting chances.

Rangers finally broke through when player of the day Saskia Pelham split the defence to lay it on for Lilly Dowsing, who calmly lifted the ball over the keeper to make it 1-0. Shortly after, it was 2-0 when Holly Kleinsman got behind the Whanganui defence and calmly slotted in her eighth goal of the campaign.

Whanganui kept pressing forward and were rewarded before half time with two well-taken goals through Jordan Kahl and Vanya Hodgkinson.

At 2-2 at halftime NPR needed a similar start to the first half.

As in previous weeks, Rangers finished strong. A well-won tackle in midfield on 72 minutes led to Aimee Wisnewski putting a well-timed pass to put Holly Kleinsman for a lead of 3-2.

NPR found the net twice more in the last 15 minutes. A neat finish by Ruby Hales and a fortuitous effort from Aimee Wisnewski rounded off for a final 5-2 victory for the home side.

Next weekend, NP Rangers are at home to Massey University in round one of the Kate Sheppard Cup, a New Zealandwide knock-out competition.

Taranaki Women’s Premier League

Once again, Ha¯wera were amongst the goals in an 8-2 victory over Peringa.

Goals came from Janelle Wright (3), Paula Chittenden, Tayla Steele, Angela Coleman, Nicola de Bruyn and Rachel Porteous.

Rebecca Sumpter and Hannah Andrews scored for Peringa.

Moturoa beat NP Rangers by default due to a number of players being away.

NPGHS also hit eight goals against Stratford in an 8-0 win.

Occasional referee Paris Liu found the net three times and was backed up with goals from Eva Hilliam (2), Emma Kehely, and Kailey Hastie, and an own goal from Stratford’s Cacia Triggs.

In the closest game of the day, Waitara and Inglewood shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

Kirsten Keighley fired the home side ahead in the 20th minute before Nardia Higgison equalised for Inglewood on the hour mark.

The match between cellar dwellers Woodleigh and Eltham proved to be a close affair.

The visitors, Eltham, nudged it 3-2. Woodleigh would have been in wonderland at half-time, going two goals up through Amanda Reddick (20) and Kishelle Courtney (30).

It must have been a good half-time talk for Eltham as they turned the match around with three goals.

Jamilia Brown (60) and Neve Cadman (70) brought the visitors level before a last minute strike from Hayley Ngeru sealed the points.