Since 2005, coach Dean Riordan has masterminded six Football Mid North Coast premierships.

A 4-1 victory last weekend at their Dangar St home brought Rangers’ winning streak to four matches, as the final ladder round of the competition played out.

Fielding the same starting eleven for a third consecutive match - this time against Port FC – the return to the bench of experienced midfielders skipper Steve Morn and Doug Tovey, and a subsitute’s goal by talisman Andrew Potter has given Riordan a welcome selection headache ahead of the qualifying semi-final.

Rangers are due to travel to Dixie Park tomorrow to take on second-placed Port United.

The Macleay men won 2-1 there only a fortnight ago against the same opposition.

This week’s heavy rain could force the postponement of the fixture, with the likelihood of a midweek rescheduling.

That eventuality could hand the advantage to United, Riordan says, with Rangers likely to be weakened through some players’ work, or even school, commitments.

But the visitors should not lack confidence, after another strong performance in last Saturday’s rain.

The heavy conditions stymied the hosts’ first-half dominance, and it took 38 minutes for the opening goal.

From a Daniel Saul corner, Jeremy Masters headed back towards goal, and from the ensuing melee Josh Tynan drove into the bottom corner.

During half-time, Riordan let his players evaluate their performance – to be told they had felt it was not up to standard.

The coach reassured them they had played well, despite the lack of penetration in the final third.

His words lifted the team and the second half began more purposefully.

After 55 minutes, striker Jarah Wyatt found himself rounding the keeper in a one-on-one, and slotting home past the last defender to double Rangers’ advantage.

And 10 minutes later, Liam Applegate avoided an end-of-season nudie run by scoring his first of the campaign.

“Liam was back to how he started off the season,” Riordan said.

Port FC’s only meaningful attack of the match resulted in a goal, with a headed clearance finding a striker, who lobbed over Shaun Glover.

Rangers’ superiority afforded the coach the opportunity to give his bench some action.

James Ting made way for Potter, who wasted little time in scoring a trademark one-on-one of his own.

And he nearly doubled his tally, but for the referee to blow for an infringement.

Tovey, Morn and Jordan Brady all got a late run-out and the chance to stake their claim for semi-finals selection.

“It’s going to be hard to displace the guys that started when they’re doing everything right,” Riordan said.

“That’s what you want at this stage of the season.

“It’s hard to ignore the experience that those older players bring though, too.”

Kick-off tomorrow, conditions permitting, is at 3pm.