By Andrew Bishara (@_andrewbishara)

An Alex Schroen hat-trick gave Box Hill United a comfortable 3-0 win over Whittlesea Ranges at Wembley Park on Saturday afternoon.

Schroen was the star of the show with two first half goals before finally completing a perfect game with a third strike five minutes from time.  

United were in complete control from the outset and took the lead when Schroen collected the ball, broke into the box and rocketed a shot right into the corner of the net.  

Chris Irwin then saw his 20-yard shot just lifted over the goals. 

However, Irwin was the chief architect of the Schroen’s second, when the midfielder put in a lovely through ball for the winger.

One-on-one with Ranges ‘keeper Jarrod Hill, Schroen drove a low ball that bounced off the post to make it two-nil.  

Less than a minute later, Rinor Muriqi had a chance of his own, but his cracking 18-yard shot was palmed away by Hill. 

The second half was a tame affair as United monopolised possession, but couldn’t break through a deep-defending Ranges. 

Josh Valadon had the best chance for the hosts, when he headed a bouncing ball during a corner, but it went over. 

Whittlesea finally had a clear-cut opportunity when Kliment Dimitrieski scissor-kicked the ball during a free-kick, but it went wide. 

Schroen finally completed his hat-trick with minutes remaining, when Muriqi broke into the box and cut the ball back to the winger, who smashed it in first time.  

Box Hill coach Arthur Georgiou was content with his side’s three points, but was unimpressed with its second-half performance. 

“In the first half, we clicked into gear and scored a couple of goals and could have scored a couple more,” Georgiou said.

“Second half? That was flat. 

“I think it was complacency. They thought the game was won and its another indication of where are heads are at and why we’ve underachieved this year.” 

Whittlesea coach Vinko Buljubasic lamented his team’s consistency throughout the match.  

“In patches, it was positive. When we turned over the ball, we let them play and that’s the difference,” Buljubasic said.

“When we had opportunities to go forward, our decision making was very poor. But at times, general play was okay, but we just couldn’t sustain it.” 

MATCH DETAILS

Box Hill United 3 (Alex Schroen 24’, 39’, 85’) defeated Whittlesea Ranges 0 at Wembley Park. [HT: 2-0] 

Box Hill United: 1. Alexander PAVILIDIS (GK), 29. George HOWARD (18. Anthony RAMZY 83’), 23. Josh VALADON, 22. Nick KOKOLAKIS, 12. Adrian DEL MONACO, 11. Matt WATERS (26. Aaron PORCARO 76’) 10. Rinor MURIQI, 7. Damien PETERS (20. Jarrod DEL MONACO 72’) 5. Alex SCHROEN, 4. Chris IRWIN, 3. Matt COLLIER 

Unused Subs: 1. Alex CONNEL, 8. Amjad MARIEH

Yellow Cards: IRWIN 37’

Red Cards: Nil

Whittlesea Ranges: 20. Jarrod HILL, 6. Andrew TAYLOR, 23. Daniel SOTIROPOULOS, 15. John REALE, 3. Berkan YURDAKUL, 14. Daniel PELUSO, 9. Kliment DIMITRIESKI, 19. Mile RISTOV, 18. Nicholas SARBIN (13. Adem MUSTADANAGIC 63’), 10. Matthew IULIANO, 25. Matthew KONDEVSKI (17. Girolamo COSTANZA 76’) 

Unused Subs: 27. James RIZZARDO, 4. Christopher STOJOEVSKI, 24. Rami MUSTAFOSKI 

Yellow Cards: SARBIN 7’, REALE 58’ 

Red Cards: Nil