Late comeback not enough for NP Rangers

New Plymouth Rangers women welcomed Taradale to Merrilands Domain on Sunday for their Central Federation League clash.

Rangers had early pressure in the game but were not able to convert opportunities that presented themselves.

After 25 minutes a pass in behind Rangers fullback Caitlin Bowles led to a cross for the Taradale player/coach Aleesha Heywood to tap in for a 1-0 lead.

Rangers maintained their pressure and evened up the score five minutes later after some nice interplay led to space for Holly

Kleinsman in front of goal to make no mistake with the equaliser.

Play became open for a while at both ends as both teams tried to dominate.

A free kick on the angle for Taradale was lifted in to the penalty box and when Rangers struggled to clear their lines Cara O’Neill calmly touched it in for what remained a half-time lead of 2-1 to Taradale.

After the break, Taradale continued to win more 50-50 balls and were able to score twice more.

O’Neill completed her hat-trick between Rangers forays forward to lead 4-1 going in to the last 15 minutes.

To Rangers’ credit they continued to add pressure on Taradale and were justly rewarded when Aimee Wisnewski scored on 86 minutes to make it 4-2.

Holly Kleinsman then scored her second for the game, cutting in and hitting with her left foot to make the last few minutes exciting for the Rangers crowd.

Taradale were able to hang on and the game ended 4-3. The win sees Taradale in top spot in the table.

Next weekend will see New Plymouth Rangers host Team Whanganui on Sunday at Merrilands Domain.

In the Taranaki Women’s Premier League, the competition was highlighted by two huge wins for Moturoa and Ha¯ wera.

Unfortunately, the local women’s league does not have enough teams to separate into two divisions.

These results will not help the development and morale of the other local teams.

Moturoa and Ha¯ wera should be looking to be playing in the Central Federation League level at which both would be very competitive.

Ha¯wera accounted for Woodleigh 26-1. Five players, Paula Chittenden (5), Janelle Wright (6), Nicola de Bruyn (4), Aimee Duffus (4) and Tayla Steele (3) completed hat-tricks or better. Kishelle Courtenay scored for Woodleigh.

Moturoa were equally too good for Eltham, winning 24-0.

Fernanda Toscani led the scoring with six goals. Danielle

Lucinsky and Caitlin Janes both scored five goals. Goalkeeper Brooke Carter also got in the action with a goal too.

The other matches were much closer affairs, with Peringa narrowly beating Stratford 2-1.

Rebecca Sumpter and Destiny Aires put Peringa 2-0 up before Nicola Sibtsen pulled a goal back later for Stratford.

New Plymouth Rangers and Inglewood could not find the net in a 0-0 stalemate, while New Plymouth Girls’ High School and Waitara played out a 1-1 draw.

Waitara took the lead midway through the second half through Rhyanna Pich before Eva Hilliam equalised for the school team after 75 minutes.