Whittlesea Ranges’ hot start to the season continued on Saturday with a fourth successive win in division 2 west of the NPL.
The 4-2 win over Box Hill United extended Ranges’ lead at the top of the table to two points . Coach Vinko Buljubasic said he was happy with his side’s performance despite a first-half lapse which saw them give up a two-goal lead.
“It was a tough match,” he said.
“We were 2-0 up and then we gave away two sloppy goals. We were ball-watching and there was a lack of communication.
“We regrouped at half-time and I told them to try to play how we started the game and we scored two second-half goals to get the win.
“Overall, I’m happy.”
George Slefendorfas scored twice for the Ranges, with Atilla Ofli also grabbing a double to take his total to 10 in the opening six rounds.
“He is working off the ball harder and creating space for himself,” Buljubasic said.
“The goals are coming from good build-ups set up by the defenders and midfielders.
“Atilla is playing a deeper role and with George being tightly marked he’s getting the opportunities.”
Ranges now have four wins and two draws to start the season, but Buljubasic said his players were not getting ahead of themselves.
“It’s a good start but there’s a long way to go,” he said.
“It will come down to keeping the full squad fit.
“Even our players who aren’t playing regularly are working hard. It shows at training.
“Having no injuries adds depth.
“It’s not just about the 11 on the field, everyone involved is making competition for spots.”
The Ranges’ next match is against second-placed Moreland City at Epping Stadium on Saturday.
In NPL, Hume City lost 2-1 against South Melbourne.
City was on the back foot in the first half when Ramazan Tavsancıoglu was given a second yellow card and sent off, leaving City to play out the rest of the match with 10 men.
South Melbourne capitalised moments later to open the scoring and lead 1-0 at half-time.
Matthew Millar scored his, and his side’s, second goal in the 63rd minute to put South Melbourne up 2-0.
Joseph Franjic got one back for Hume in the 77th minute and almost grabbed a second eight minutes later but his effort was cleared off the line.
City sits fifth on the ladder with three wins, a draw and two losses.
Hume will meet Melbourne Knights in the next match at Knights Stadium on Friday night.
