Youth lost to experience on Friday night when a young Whittlesea Rangers was unable to match it with a seasoned St Albans in soccer’s National Premier League 1.
The Rangers shocked the Saints with a goal through Kliment Dimitrieski in the third minute.
The Saints responded seven minutes later, going on to hit the back of the net twice in the second half for a 3-1 win.
Rangers coach Vinco Buljubasic said the team was building for the long term.
“I was disappointed with the result, but it was pretty much an experienced team versus youngsters,” he said.
“Our eldest is 24 and the average age is 20. It’s the path we wanted to take this year … it was good experience for the players.”
Buljubasic said the Saints’ midfield control was the key to their win.
But his players would learn from the loss.“It’s not a question about the effort; rather, we need to improve our concentration.
“We’re not consistent enough and you’re going to get up and down results with a young team. They have to learn quickly.”
This week, 10th-placed Rangers play Richmond.
“It’s hard to predict how we will go this week and the season,” Buljubasic said. “We set up to develop a squad for the next two to three years. We’ll have a very good squad in the coming seasons.”
In top-tier NPL, Hume City defeated Goulburn Valley Suns 4-1 at home on Sunday.
City started the scoring early with a goal to Petar Franjic in the sixth minute, following a Nick Hegarty free kick, which was quickly followed by Johnny Buceto scoring a second.
In the 23rd minute, City scored again through Hegarty.
The Suns got one back late in the second half through a penalty, but Kliment Taseski sealed the win for City with a goal in the 86th minute.
The win moves City to sixth on the ladder with four wins and four losses.
