By Lance Jenkinson
Whittlesea Ranges had to wait a week longer than most other clubs to open its account in the Football Federation Victoria NPL1 West competition because its opening-round clash with newcomers Melbourne City was postponed.
The Ranges will have to play the waiting game again – this time for a goal – after a 0-0 draw with the Ballarat Red Devils in the clash at Epping Stadium on Saturday.
Although the result gave Ranges their first point, club secretary Sergio Costanzo told
Star Weekly his side yearned for more but thought a draw was a fair outcome.
“It was a fairly even contest,” he said. “Both teams can walk away reasonably content with the overall performance.
“It was a quality hit-out with a lot of talent on both sides and both teams did themselves credit by the way they tapped the ball around and the way they defended.
“It was basically just in the finishing that let them down. You could tell both teams were a little bit on the rusty side.”
The Ranges attacking trio of Daniel Peluso, Matthew Iuliano and import Giosue Tolomeo made their way into dangerous positions and received first-class delivery but could not find the back of the net.
Iuliano had the best of the opportunities, failing to convert a one-on-one with Red Devils goalkeeper Aaron Romein early in the match.
“The chances were there; we created quite a few,” Costanzo said. “Sooner or later those boys will put them away.”
The stand-out for the Ranges was 19-year-old former Melbourne Victory youth goalkeeper Gian Tapia, who was called on to make numerous saves in the second half.
“He’s a talented goalie, tall and athletic,” Costanzo said.
“We have quite a few boys in the squad who can go to a higher level at some stage and he’s not far off that.
“He’s one with heaps of potential.
“Our average age on the park was 20 and the squad we’ve put together this year is the nucleus of the side that will push us towards promotion in the near future.
“We’re fairly young but we have a lot more talent and potential than last year.”
The Ranges will make the short trip to face arch-rivals Moreland Zebras at CB Smith Reserve on Saturday.
The two sides were once merged under the name Whittlesea Zebras and a rivalry was reborn after they split again.
“It’ll be on,” Costanzo said.
“Both clubs have gone at each other over the years and it will be no different this week.
“It’ll be a good game.”
