Football club makes division one semi final after 50 years
MT DRUITT Town Rangers senior division one side have beaten the odds and Bankstown Lions to win a place in the premier league semi final. In its 50-year history the club has never been so successful.
The Standard
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THE Mt Druitt Town Rangers have progressed one step closer to the Football NSW NPL2 division one decider after a decisive 3-1 elimination final victory over the Bankstown Lions at Lily Homes Stadium, Seven Hills on Sunday.
After finishing eighth and failing to make the Football NSW NPL2 playoffs last season, the Rangers were determined to make amends this year.
And so they have. Despite finishing sixth on the ladder, the team is just one game away from the grand final.
Rangers’ coaching director, Stewart Montgomery said no one expected them to beat Bankstown in last weekend’s elimination final.
“We have played Bankstown twice this year, a 2-1 loss and a 3-2 second round win,” Montgomery said. “Both games very close.
The Lions came out firing with an early lead but by half time the Rangers had equalised the scoreboard 1-1.
“After five minutes Bankstown scored to take a 1-0 lead,” Montgomery said. “After 15 minutes we settled and equalised with a great goal to Abraham Majok after some excellent work down left side by Goncal Paradanto.”
Rangers fullback Brian Griffin-Coles booted a 30-yard screamer just five minutes into the second half to take a 2-1 lead.
Despite the Lions’ majority possession, the Rangers’ backline staved off any challenge.
The final nail in the coffin of the Lions’ campaign was a tight goal off Kuag Reec’s boot with just 18 minutes to go.
“Never before in the history of Mt Druitt Town Rangers — 50 years — has the club gone this far at this elite level,” Montgomery said.
The Rangers will face Sydney FC seniors at 5pm at Arlington Oval, Dulwich Hill, on Saturday in the first semi-final. In the second semi-final, Western Sydney Wanderers will take on the Mounties Wanderers at Blacktown Football Park from 6.30pm on Saturday.
The winners of the semi finals will play for the premiership on 3pm on Saturday, September 17 and the location will be announced later.
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