Whittlesea Ranges are continuing to gain ground on the top sides in National Premier League 2 west.
Having put a gap between themselves and the relegation zone, the Ranges are now showing that they can match it with the sides above them on the ladder.
On Saturday night, they took the challenge up to run-away ladder-leaders Altona Magic.
While the Ranges lost 2-0, coach Tony Ciantar was proud of the performance.
“It was 0-0 at half-time,” he said.
“They had one or two chances in the first half, but Gian [Tapia] had some great saves and kept us in the game.
“It was disappointing the way we conceded the goal, three minutes into the second half from corner.
“We held them out and put them under pressure for the last 20 minutes.
“They scored against the run of play in the 91 minute to seal the game.”
The Ranges sit eighth, 10 points clear of bottom side Sunshine George Cross.
Despite the loss, Ciantar said they would continue to grow in confidence and the players believed in what they were doing.
“They’re believing more in themselves and playing the brand of football I want them playing.
“They’re moving the ball the way I want them to.”
Ciantar said the players who joined the club during the transfer window had settled in and the club was starting to reap the rewards.
He said the biggest thing wasn’t what they were doing on field, but what they brought off field.
“These guys have come in with great attitude and have been really good and are fitting in more each week.”
He said with the development they’re made since he took over as coach midway through the season, he expected the improvement to continue.
“I was confident with some of the changes we had made and didn’t think the team would be relegated.
“We’re looking good to finish in the middle of the table. We’re confident that we can still move up one or two spots.”
The Ranges this week face Langwarrin. Ciantar said a couple of Langwarrin players had received red cards on Saturday, which could work in their favour.
Meanwhile in the NPL, Hume City went down to South Melbourne 2-1 on Sunday afternoon.
Hume had more chances throughout the game, but couldn’t make the most of them.
South Melbourne opened the scoring in the sixth minute. Hume responded three minutes later, with John Cofie converting a penalty.
Scores remained level for the first half.
South Melbourne hit the front through a penalty shot in the 77th minute which secured the win.
The two teams have switched positions on the ladder with Hume slipping to 12th. South Melbourne moved up to eleventh, goal difference ahead of Hume.
