Solid performances give Rangers the win

Peggy Gordon’s New Plymouth Rangers travelled south to Whanganui City and won comfortably 3-1 in their Central Federation Cup match.

Two goals in the first 12 minutes from Taku Warren gave NP Rangers a good lead into halftime.

Zane Robinson pulled one back for Whanganui just after the break before Hamish Pittams netted his first goal for the club on 54 minutes to allow NP Rangers to cruise to victory.

Goalkeeper Ryan Bain was outstanding in his first team debut, while skipper Devan Leggett and Taku Warren gave solid performances.

Also on the road, Moturoa secured a fine 5-2 win over the higher-ranked Palmerston North End.

Goals from Ollie Hill (19) and Connor Hay (24) gave Moturoa the best possible start before a penalty from North End’s Lucian Armstrong pegged back Moturoa.

Corbin Richardson then gave the visitors a 3-1 lead at the break.

Richardson got his second goal after 55 minutes, before Joe Craven scored North End’s second.

Aiden Smith completed the victory for Moturoa with their fifth goal with 10 minutes to play.

Peringa United met Gisborne United in Hastings to ease the travel for both teams. Peringa won the game 1-0 with the only goal scored by Cody Buck in the

79th minute. Stratford hosted Palmerston North Marist but were comprehensively beaten 8-0. Stratford got off to the worst possible start when skipper Dale Harris scored past his own keeper Paul Digby.

It was one-way traffic after that with Marist taking a 7-0 lead into halftime. To Stratford’s credit, Marist only scored once in the second half.

Kaitake beat Woodleigh

3-0 at Sutherland Park. David Gilmour gave Kaitake the first half lead, netting on 23 minutes.

Two second-half goals from James Bevington (53 and 70 minutes) put the visitors in the hat for the quarterfinal draw.