TFN Rangers kept their impeccable record over Hanover Park FC intact with a comfortable 2-0 win during an ABC Motsepe League clash played the Downberg Road on Saturday afternoon – the attack on Rangers’ captain Chad Robertson or any other player for that matter should never be allowed to happen again, not in Hanover Park or anywhere else!
This comes after Rangers kept their impeccable record against Hanover Park FC intact with a 2-1 win during an ABC Motsepe League clash.
Goals from Gio Philander and Darryl Rose in each half secured the victory for coach Arreshaat Daniels’ Rangers outfit to make it four wins from four matches in their head-to-head clashes in all competitions.
The Brasse Vannie Park as Hanover Park is known, were left to rue their missed chances in the first half despite having the advantage of the wind at their back. It was expected that their top marksman Ameen Awaldien would come to the party instead he fired blanks.
It must be noted that Rangers rode their luck at times in the first half – especially when Morne Abrahams’ venomous left foot strike had Kyle Peters in the Rangers goal beaten hands down but the crossbar came to his rescue.
This sparked Rangers into overdrive and with a bit of Philander magic they broke the deadlock just before halftime when his low right-footed shot caught Hanover Park’s goalie Luther Jacobs napping at his near post.
Rangers came out firing in the second half and gave the host some nervous moments, but credit to Hanover Park who kept their shape well under pressure.
Tempers flared up late in the game when Rangers’ Morne Bennett, who came on as a sub, was given his marching orders for retaliation after he squared up with one of his opponents.
A similar offence from Hanover Park was minutes prior left unpunished by referee Ryan New which left fans rather surprised when Bennett was subsequently sent off.
The home side kept on applying the pressure but lacked the composure and cutting edge in the final third. Hanover Park’s pressure was eventually rewarded when Lance Beyers struck from close range just before the final whistle which proved to be nothing more than a consolation goal.
Credit should also go to Rangers’ Peters for brave and commanding goalkeeping as he foiled quite a few of their Hanover Park’s attacks – especially under the high ball.
Rangers, who has played a game less due to their bye in the opening round, is slowly taking control of stream A and certainly looks like the team to beat once again.
Rangers host another unbeaten outfit in stream A, Ikapa Sporting in their next match at the Royal Road on Saturday.
Ikapa’s fixture against Santos (also unbeaten) on Friday at the Nyanga Stadium was postponed due to loadshedding and is rescheduled for 28 February 2024.
Other results:
Young Bafana 2, Junction Rovers FC 3
Maties FC 2, Oriented Birds 0
Batalion FC 0, HBUFC 3
Royal Blues 1, Ubuntu FC 3
