By Christopher Hearn (@_ChrisHearn)

Whittlesea Ranges' impressive form has continued, comprehensively defeating Moreland City 4-0 at Epping Stadium on Saturday.

Attila Ofli opened the scoring; Mario Pirania added a second before half time. Substitute Daniel Peluso added a third with eight minutes remaining, adding the icing to a comprehensive victory.

The hosts controlled the tempo in the early stages, pinning Moreland's defence back with quick, purposeful attacks. Ofli's distribution made life difficult for the visitors' rearguard, as the pace of Giosue Tolomeo and Matthew Cundari caused major headaches in wide areas.

After a bright opening, Tolomeo broke and squeezed a powerful shot past the post.

Mario Pirania and Attila Ofli were both denied by some desperate Moreland City defending, while Moreland keeper Brandon Galgano saved brilliantly from Tolomeo's second effort of note, a left-footed curler from 25 yards.

The visitors began to contain the quick Ranges attacks, mounting an assault of their own. Gareth Richard's penalty appeals were waved away after a coming together inside the Ranges penalty area, but the resurgence was short lived.

Ofli broke the deadlock on 35 minutes.

Tolomeo's fast break down the left saw the winger break free to feed the striker. The low cross found Ofli, whose initial strike was blocked before the rebound fell perfectly, and he made no mistake from 12 yards.

Pirania extended Ranges' lead three minutes later.

The midfielder shook off the challenge of Corey Thomas and set himself to shoot from 25 yards.

The skidding ball deceived Galgano to nestle into the bottom corner.

The hosts started the second period with a similar level of intensity, as Matthew Iuliano and Tolomeo went close to adding a third.

The wet conditions forced the game into a lull, as play visibly slowed down midway through the second half.

As the game stretched, Ranges coach Buljubasic called upon the attacking trio of Peluso, Sami Nour and Matthew Kundevski from the bench.

Peluso added an excellent third; he collected Ofli's pass to get in behind Moreland's left side, before executing an excellent chip over the advancing Galgano.

Ofli grabbed his second and Whittlesea's fourth in stoppage time, as Peluso took advantage of a threadbare Moreland defence to fire in an excellent low cross, allowing the striker to tap home.

 

 

MATCH DETAILS

Whittlesea Ranges 4 (Ofli 35', 90+6' Pirania 38', Peluso 85') defeated Moreland City 0 at Epping Stadium [HT 2-0]

Whittlesea Ranges: 1. Gian TAPIA, 2. Pavle DURKIC, 4. Mario PIRANIA, 6. Andrew TAYLOR, 7. Matthew CUNDARI (15. Matthew KUNDEVSKI 86’), 10. Matthew IULIANO (11. Sami NOUR 73'), 17. Stefan BARICEVIC, 19. Adem MUSTADANAGIC, 20. Tobias HAEGELE, 23. Giosue TOLOMEO (9. Daniel PELUSO 78'), 15. Atilla OFLI

Unused substitutes: 5. Daniel SOTIROPOULOS, 27. Jarrod HILL (GK)
Yellow cards: Matthew Cundari 77'
Red cards: None

Moreland City: 1. Brandon GALGANO, 2. Yang TOU-YENG, 5. Ossie KARA, 21. Nodj SAHIN, 6. Julien DOS SANTOS (20. Rob BAZZANO 54'), 8. Corey THOMAS (17. Liam BRIAN 46'), 14. Casey THOMAS, 23. Mo KURUCU, 9. Gareth RICHARDS (11. Kam SIMSEK 76'), 7. Osman KOSE, 12. Shane CARR

Unused Subs: 4. Quinn MCDONALD, 16. Nathan GOURZELAS

Yellow Cards: None

Red Cards: None