By Tonci Prusac (@tonciprusac)

A dominant North Geelong Warriors recorded a routine 2-0 win over 13th-placed Whittlesea Ranges in their Round 22 clash at Elcho Park on Saturday afternoon.

The win, which came courtesy of a first half strike from Vito Cichello and a second half goal by Rob Zadworny, moves the Warriors a step closer to promotion, with 3rd placed Box Hill and another promotion contender, Richmond SC, both dropping vital points over the weekend.

The Warriors went into today's match against the Ranges - who are led by ex-North coach Vinko Buljubasic - handicapped by the absence of their joint top scorer, Juso Julardzija. 

The robust marksman, who has been a revelation at Elcho Park since arriving from St Albans Saints mid season, was away in Queensland due to family commitments, meaning attacking midfielder, Reardo Luka, was pushed up front to partner the other joint leading goalscorer, Mark Paleka, in attack.

It was the visiting Ranges, however, who started the better of the two combatants, with Kliment Dimitrieski shootng from close range. 

His acrobatic effort however, was blasted well over North ‘keeper Daniel Zilic's goal.

The Warriors saw off the early pressure and were duly rewarded with the lead in the 20th minute following what could only be described as a freak goal by midfielder Vito Cichello.

From at least 35 metres out, Cichello's effort was a half shot/half lob into the goal mouth. 

But it was the immense amount of top spin on the ball that totally bamboozled the Whittlesea keeper Dianoush Rasoulzaden-Syesan, and saw the high ball float past his outstretched gloves into the top right hand corner of the goal.

It was all North after the opener, but the Warriors weren't able to double their lead and the score remained 1-0 at the break.

Just eight minutes after the resumption in play, man-of-the-match Cichello fed a sublime 20 metre through ball to Zadworny, who outsped his Whittlesea opponent and calmly slotted the ball past Rasohlzaden-Syesan.

North completely dominated the remainder of the second half, but were unable to capitalise on the scoreboard. Luka, Zadworny, Paleka and even defender Nicholas Jurcic were all presented with gilt edged scoring opportunitites, only to see their efforts land everywhere but in the Ranges’ goal.

Nonetheless, the home side easily ran out comfortable winners, to consolidate their outright second spot on the ladder.

In an incredible post-script to the second half, Whittlesea had both their starting goalkeeper, Rasoulzaden-Syesan (knee) and the reserve custodian, Jarrod Hill (head wound), substituted following on-the-ball clashes with North players, Nathan Long and Paleka respectively.

Dimitrieski was forced to see out the game in the Whittlesea goals.

After the game, North Geelong coach Mick Colina was a satisfied man.

“We had to earn it, they (Whittlesea) were a very spirited bunch. They certainly came to upset the apple cart,” said Colina, who was this week awarded the NPL Coach of the Month accolade.

“Having said that, and without wanting to sound too cocky, we were in complete dominance and never looked like losing it. The only disappointing aspect is the fact we didn’t put away all our chances.

“It would have been nice to put a few more in the back of the net, but that’s the game of football for you. We now turn our attention to next week’s game.”

Former North boss and now Whittlesea supreme, Vinko Buljubasic, admitted it was a ‘funny feeling’ coming back to his old stomping ground.

“I must admit, it was a funny feeling. Half of these boys I coached and even brought to the club and they have really blossomed into a top side. It’s fantastic to see that they have blossomed into such good footballers,” Buljubasic said.

“But we did well. I can’t fault my players, they are a young team and they are constantly evolving as players. 

“We still have a long way to go, but we have a three year plan and we are well on track to developing what we have set out to do,” added Buljubasic, who is still very much respected by the fans, players and club officials alike, down at Elcho Park.

The Warriors, who are three points clear of third placed St Albans, will now turn their focus to next week’s catch-up game against Richmond SC at Elcho Park. The Saturday afternoon game has been brought forward to a 2:00pm kick-off, with all spectators to be admitted free of charge.

MATCH DETAILS

North Geelong 2 (Cichello 20’, Zadworny 53’) defeated Whittlesea Ranges 0 (HT 1-0) at Elcho Park, Geelong

North Geelong: 1 Daniel ZILIC, 16 Michael GRGIC, 2 Darren LEWIS, 99 Nathan LONG, 17 Nicholas JURCIC, 8 Vito CICHELLO, 6 Stipe TRBUHOVIC (4 Nikola JURKOVIC 82’), 9 Michael ANDERSON, 10 Robbie ZADWORNY (35 Michael RADOJEVIC 93’), 7 Reardo LUKA, 14 Mark PALEKA (19 Matija DRAGOVIC 86’). 

Unused subs: 31 Joel GAWNE.

Yellow cards: Anderson 90’.

Red cards: None

Whittlesea Ranges: 2 Dianoush RASOHLZADEN-SYESAN (27 Jarrod HILL 65’ (14 Matthew KONDEVSKI 75’)), 6 Andrew TAYLOR, 23 Daniel SOTIROPOULOS, 15 John REALE, 13 Adem MUSTADANAGIC (18 Nicholas SARBIN 33’), 9 Kliment DIMITRIESKI, 24 Rami MUSTAFOSKI, 17 Girolamo COSTANZA, 10 Mile RISTOV, 12 Tomo TRBUHOVIC, 25 Daniel GIOGHA

Unused subs: 3 Berkan YURDAKUL, 19 Damian SILJANOSKI.

Yellow cards: Mustafoski 27’, Sarbin 92’.

Red cards: None