Timely boost for Rangers ahead of quarterfinals

MIRAMAR RANGERS’ Chatham Cup aspirations have been given a leg up with their Wellington Phoenix academy trio available for tomorrow’s quarterfinal.

Four-time cup champions Rangers host Dunedin Technical at David Farrington Park and Luke Rowe, Justin Gulley and Tom Doyle are all in the selection frame after being placed off-limits in the Central League last weekend.

‘‘Which is great for us,’’ said Rangers captain Jamie Farrington, the son of David.

Defending Central League champions Rangers made a slow start to the season as new Italian coach Valerio Raccuglia was forced to field understrength sides missing the club’s Team Wellington contingent.

But as the likes of Rowe, Gulley, Sam Mason-Smith, Patrick Fleming, Michael Fifi and Dom Rowe returned to the fold, Rangers grew into their work and must now be rated contenders for a rare league/cup double.

‘‘The boys have certainly been hitting their straps in the last four to six weeks which has been great,’’ Farrington said.

‘‘Momentum is definitely on our side but we’re not taking anyone lightly.’’

Tomorrow’s game will be the first at David Farrington since the pitch was dug up and relaid, and Farrington said the surface was looking ‘‘spectacular.’’

‘‘I would challenge anyone to find a better playing surface in the country really. The council has spent a lot of money and we are very lucky.’’

Farrington said Raccuglia, who arrived in Wellington via coaching in Denmark, had taken to the club ‘‘like a duck to water.’’

They had done plenty of homework on Technical, thanks largely to the knowledge of Fleming, who used to play in Dunedin for Caversham.

‘‘Teams from that part of the world are always really well organised and play with a lot of pride and passion for the shirt,’’ Farrington said.

Farrington reserved high praise for striker Mason-Smith, comparing him to Scottish gun Graham Little, who scored 48 goals for Rangers between 2001-03.

‘‘I’ve been really impressed with his ability to put the ball in the back of the net. I’ve played with Graham and I think Sam’s ability to finish is on a par with Graham’s.’’ Kick-off is at 2pm.

Elsewhere tomorrow, Lower Hutt City are away to Birkenhead United, Caversham host Manukau City and Central United and Eastern Suburbs square off.