THE blue side of town shone through last Saturday with the Retravision Rangers beating cross town rivals Kempsey Saints 4-0 in the last of the local derbys for 2012.
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It was also the annual ‘Call to Arms’ day with all donations and money raised going towards fighting men’s prostate cancer.
Rangers FC would like to thank all clubs involved with Port FC, Kempsey Hornets and Kempsey Saints all helping out and making it a great success.
More than $1800 was raised and if it wasn’t for the weather it could have been more.
Coastline Credit Union Rangers first grade went into the game missing Matt Johnstone and regular captain Jeremy Masters, who were both out due to yellow card suspensions.
Steve Morn was also out with a thigh injury, and he could be sidelines for a couple of weeks.
Both Ash Dean and Paul Thurlow carried injuries into the game as Rangers cannot afford any mishaps with two rounds remaining. They needed a win to stay in second spot on the ladder.
Rangers’ starting team looked more like a youth team with players Brendan Pearson, Macky Lawrence, John Henry, Reece Coleman, Chad Applegate and Josh Phillips all still at school.
Andrew Potter took over the captain’s role and thrived on the extra responsibility.
Within eight minutes Ash Dean got the first goal from a corner kick. Dean’s goal was his first for the year but on a special note was a winner for his family. Ash lost his father to cancer and it also got him off the annual nudie run list.
The goal seemed to lift Saints and it was all hands on deck to keep them scoreless with Rangers not conceding a goal in their past three games.
Ten minutes before half-time Potter received a ball from Josh Tynan and he found himself one-on-one with Saints keeper Jacob Lyttle.
Potter decided to shoot instead of going around. His shot was blocked but rebounded at his feet and he made no mistake with his second effort.
The play started to swing back Rangers way and with more pressure from Josh Phillips, Rangers third come from a foul in the penalty box on Phillips.
Up stepped Reece Coleman to calmly hit the back of the net and stretch Rangers lead to three right on the half-time whistle.
The second half was an even affair with both sides taking control at times. Young Lawrence scored Rangers fourth with a cracking shot from outside the box that gave the Saints keeper no chance.
The final score was 4-0 to Rangers with young Pearson named the Great Northern Hotel player’s player. Two points went to another youngster Henry. Dean got one point.
Reserve grade got the better of Saints to the tune of 3-0. The win now gives them a three-point lead over Port United on the ladder.
The player’s player went to another youngster in Ben Livermore.
The club would like to thank all the sponsors for the raffle donations.
Another big thank you to goal keeping legend Col Willis, who went one-on-one with raffle winner Rod Kinnear from Rod Kinnear Electrical. Rod had the chance to win $120 if he could beat keeper Willis from the penalty spot.
Rod not only put the ball past Willis, he also scared everyone at the ground when he lifted his shirt above his head and ran around like a shot duck. He donated the money back.
The Rangers womens team, coached by Brett White, kept their minor premier spot by beating Kempsey Hornets 10-0 well done ladies.
On the junior side of things a big congratulations go to the Peter Henry coached YD1’S, Col Willis under 16s and Darren Morn under15’s for claiming minor premierships.
Good luck to our under 14s and two under 12s making it to the semis this weekend
This weekend Rangers travel to Dixie Park at Port Macquarie to play Port United.
United are just outside the top five and will be hoping to grab the points from Rangers. Kick off for reserve grade is 1.15pm and first grade is at 3pm.