Northern Rangers have rescued a point from the jaws of defeat with a Zebras own goal with the last kick of the game securing the Rangers a valuable 2-2 draw at NTCA yesterday.

It was an intriguing PS4 Victory League contest yesterday afternoon and a match that could be legitimately labelled a true ‘game of two halves.’

The first 20 minutes were very cagey but in the 19th minute Zebras took the lead and that sparked a spell of dominance from the travelling team that lasted the rest of the half.  The opener came from the head of Tyler Harrison, who stooped to meet a lovely cross from Ricky Self and send a low header past James Wilson in the Rangers goal.

Only one minute later Zebras had a golden opportunity to double their lead from the penalty spot after Joel Sanderson took out Ethan Engels and the referee pointed to the spot.  The home crowd was up in arms as it appeared to be right on the edge of the box, but even after watching the replay several times it was a tough one to call.  Last weekend’s hattrick hero Ethan Engels stepped up to take the kick, but he sent his effort wide of the post.

Zebras were completely bossing the game at this stage, the Engels brothers, Self and Callen Griffin all linking up brilliantly, with Kurt Engels in particular a threat every time he touched the ball.  They got the second that their dominance deserved in the 29th minute, Ethan Engels atoning for a missed penalty, turning well in the box and cooly slotting into the bottom corner with his left foot.

Rangers could only improve on their first half showing and they certainly did that, gradually taking control of the game in the second half as their passing started to click and Zebras started to fade.  In the 59th minute they pulled a goal back, Pat Lanau-Atkinson doing brilliantly to get to the by-line before sending a perfect cross in for Schalde Anderson to finish from a yard out.

In the 79th minute it was Rangers turn to squander an opportunity from the penalty spot.  Zebras’ ‘keeper Graham Wright stupidly pushed Andersen and the referee pointed to the spot, but the Scottish keeper redeemed himself saving Adam Edwards low spot kick with his feet.

Zebras looked like they were going to hold on for a huge win, but with the very last kick of the game Rangers grabbed a vital equaliser.  Yitay Towns sent a left footed, lofted ball towards goal which the Zebras defender Harrison stretched to try to head clear, but his touch sent the ball looping over the despairing Wright into the net.

Overall, Rangers will be the happiest of the two teams with their point, Zebras really should have killed the game off in the first half and that last minute equaliser could come back to haunt them in the title race.

 Playstation 4 Victory League Round 3 RESULTS

South Hobart 1 (Brayden Mann 58′) Olympia FC Warriors 3 (Warren Wadawu 39′, Harry Woolley 90’+2, Nick Mearns 90’+5) HALF TIME 0-1 (DARCY STREET, SOUTH HOBART)

GLENORCHY KNIGHTS 3 (Vincent Kamano 32’, 72’, Jade Clay 47’) DEVONPORT STRIKERS 0 HALF TIME 1-0 (KGV FOOTBALL PARK, GLENORCHY)

NORTHERN RANGERS 2 (Tyler Harrison 19’, Ethan Engels 30’) drew with HOBART JEEP ZEBRAS 2 (Schalde Anderson 60’, Tyler Harrison OWN GOAL 90’+4) HALF TIME 2-0 (NTCA, LAUNCESTON)

LAUNCESTON CITY 2  (Omar Murati 2’, Nathan Butler 25’) KINGBOROUGH LIONS 0 HALF TIME 2-0 (MITSUBISHI PARK, PROSPECT)