Trying to put together consecutive wins is the key to whether Whittlesea Ranges can stay in touch with the top sides in the west division of soccer’s National Premier League 1.
The Ranges went into round 16 on Saturday in sixth position, eight points behind the leaders, but fell a further point adrift after a 3-0 loss away to Ballarat Red Devils.
With Ranges missing players through suspension and injury, the Reds scored once in the first half and twice in the second.
Speaking before the match, Ranges coach Vinko Buljubasic backed his side to finish the season well.
“The boys are confident, but not over-confident,” he said.
“Barring injuries and suspensions, we can do the job.
“Finishing at the top of the ladder is still our aim and we will go into every game thinking we can win.
“Where we finish this year – hopefully that is in the upper half – it has been a successful season.”
Buljubasic said the team wasn’t too far away from the top sides.
“We’re close and if we can get a run of consecutive wins it will help our cause,” he said.
“We are still a young side but we’ve added a few better technical players to help with the development.
“And the top three or four sides still have to play each other.”
In NPL, Hume City beat Oakleigh Cannons 1-0 on Saturday.
City scored through captain Nick Hegarty in the 62nd minute with a shot into the bottom corner.
City is fifth on the ladder.
On Wednesday night, City will take on Kingston City in the FFA Cup at Broadmeadows Valley Park.
The winner will go into the last 32 of the Australia-wide competition.
