By Tara Murray
Whittlesea Ranges continue to show strong form as they aim for a top six finish in the National Premier League 2 west.
The Ranges now sit just three points outside the top six, despite taking 10 rounds to score their first win of the season.
On Sunday, they defeated Melbourne Victory 1-0 win, increasing the gap between the two sides.
Ranges coach George Karkaletsis said it was a strong defensive performance by his side.
“They are a really good team, but they hadn’t scored for the last six games,” he said of Victory. “The best part of our performance was the defence. The back five were awesome, with three of them in the top three players.
“We spent most of the week working on the defensive side and it came into fruition on Sunday.”
Karkaletsis said his players had plenty of opportunities to score, but they weren’t able to make the most of them.
The only goal came through a penalty just after half-time. He said the game opened up after the goal was scored.
“We deserved to get the win,” he said. “We controlled most of the game. We created some other clear chances – it could have been two or three.”
Karkaletsis said the game was one that required hard work throughout.
“They had to dig deep,” he said
Whittlesea Ranges remain in eighth spot, but are only goal difference outside the top six.
This week they will face sixth-placed Brunswick City.
Karkaletsis said a win against his old side would be very pleasing.
“We face Brunswick this week and we want to create a gap on them,” he said.
“It’s the old six-point game. We still have a lot of work to do, though.”
Meanwhile in the NPL, Hume City beat South Melbourne 3-1 on Saturday night.
Danny Dixon, Thomas Harris and Paul Wilson were the goal scorers.
Hume currently sits fifth.
