Football season fully underway

Footballers of all shapes and sizes came out to play across the region on Saturday.

The 2023 season for junior, social and age grade football began, while the men’s senior sides continued their competitions.

Rangers AFC continued their unbeaten start to the Nelson division one football season with a comprehensive victory at A&P Park on Saturday.

After winning their opening encounter, then being defaulted to last weekend Rangers were keen to get back on the park and showed it with a top allround effort against Suburbs Seals.

They defeated the visitors 6-0, a notable effort against a team containing several very accomplished players.

Rangers were “on fire” from the outset, according to manager Wolfie Waechter, using quick passing to create a string of clear-cut chances.

It took until the 16th minute for one to pay dividends though, player/coach Tore Waechter opening the scoring with a tap-in after good leadup work by Guy Nolan and Keagan Mortimer.

Then it was the Mortimer show, the speedy striker bagging the next three goals, two before halftime to help his side hit the sheds 3-0 to the good.

He scored soon after the break, then it was the turn of substitute Rico Chen, stepping up from the Rangers Reserves side, who slotted the fifth with an emphatic strike.

The goal of the match topped proceedings. Kane Elvy produced a peach of a free kick on the final minutes, curving the ball around the defensive wall and watching it fly into the top left corner of the net. The lively left winger was one of the players of the day for the home side, along with Mortimer, Boyd Elvy, who did a fine job of marking an experienced opponent, Jordy Columbus, midfield generals Tore and Bjorn Waechter, plus reliable right back Callum McDonald and Nolan, who impressed in his first start. Next week Rangers have their first away game, against sion one competition, leaders Call Care Trojans and Central Buccaneers both retained their unbeaten records after playing out a 1-1 draw at A&P. Picton Wildcats and Rangers Woodbourne also drew, 3-3, while BV Masters downed Central Wolves 4-2. In division two, competition front-runners Rangers City and Call Care Spartans scored 6-0 wins over Picton Crow Tavern and Rangers Masters respectively, Rangers Reserves put 13 unanswered goals past Trojans Marlb Men and Cen