Rangers in derby clash against Whanganui
Peggy Gordon’s New Plymouth Rangers travel to Whanganui Athletic today for what is expected to be a close encounter in the derby match of the Central Federation League.
Neither football team has shown the form of last season when the clubs finished first and second respectively.
Being the nearest match geographically for Rangers there is always an edge to the game.
Nathan Morath misses out with a foot injury while Tyler Snow makes his comeback from injury with a run in the reserve side at Inglewood. Otherwise, a full squad will travel.
In the Women’s Federation League, Rangers host Team Whanganui at Merrilands Domain tomorrow.
Rangers beat the Whanganui side 3-0 earlier in the season and will be looking for a similar win.
Despite suffering losses to Taradale and Palmerston North Marist, the local side is more than matching the opposition in their first season at this level.
Holly Kleinsman has scored seven goals in four matches so far and Rangers will be looking to her and fellow striker Saskia Pelham and Lily Dowsing to continue their fine form.
Coach Andrew Moore said ‘we need to tighten up in defence, and we’ll match any team’.
In the Taranaki Premier League, the game of the day will be at Peringa Park for the clash between Peringa United and Moturoa.
Peringa will want to carry on from their winning performance against Rangers last week.
Moturoa will be equally keen to bounce back from last week’s defeat to FC Western.
I predict a draw here.
League leaders FC Western host Waitara at Lynmouth Park. FC Western are on a good unbeaten run in league and cup matches and should be too strong for a Waitara side who have improved since their miserable season in 2020 where they finished last.
Kaitake sit mid-table in their first season in the top division and entertain Eltham at Corbett Park.
The coastal side should be too strong for the South Taranaki side.
New Plymouth Boys’ High School, who are unbeaten so far this year and sit in second place, visit Woodleigh at Sutherland Park.
The school team have been prolific in front of goal while Woodleigh have managed just a single goal in their four matches to date. This suggests an easy win for the visitors.
Rangers travel to Inglewood for their match which is likely to be a tight affair.
Both sides are at the wrong end of the table and will be looking to kick-start their season with a win. Rangers may nick a win here.
This weekend sees the start of junior football in the province catering for the under-6 through to under-18 level. There are 240 teams involved.
The older age groups are dominated by New Plymouth Boys’ High and Francis Douglas College teams.
The younger teams are split into various age levels with under-6 and under-8 players involved in learning the skills of the game before playing small-sided matches each week.
From under-9 all matches.
Rangers lead the way with a massive 37 teams across all junior competitions under the direction of the club’s director of football, James Malthus, and co-ordinator Tony Bennett. the teams play