Whittlesea Ranges has ended a four-game win streak after defeating Dandenong City 0-1 on Saturday afternoon at Frank Holohan Soccer Complex.

After an even first half, a red card to Andy Jerez made life all the more difficult for the hosts before a Mario Piranio half-volley gave Whittlesea the lead and the win.

It was a tight, tactical battle early on in the first half, with neither side giving much away; if there was to be a goal, it would likely come from a mistake.

And it almost did.

Whittlesea gave away possession in its own half, with Dandenong swiftly pouncing.

Keegan Ziada picked up the loose ball and rattled the crossbar with a clever lob.

Just after the half hour mark, the referee issued the first yellow card of the game to Andy Jerez, which would ultimately be the hosts' downfall.

The rest of the half played out much like the first; a slow, tactical battle to break each other down.

Dandenong came out of the sheds fired up.

It showed just a minute into the second half, after a tackle from Jerez saw him pick up his second yellow card and the midfielder was sent off to an early shower.

Whittlesea was in full control from that point onwards.

The goal finally came at the hour mark when a ball into the box wasn't dealt with, bouncing out of the box.

It fell to Mario Piranio, who connected with the half volley like a rocket, with his shot coming off the underside of the bar and into the net.

The hosts pressed forward looking for the equaliser in the final 10 minutes, but it left them vulnerable to the counter.

Ranges substitute Matthew Iuliano had his share of opportunities to double the lead in the final minutes of the match, but goalkeeper Damir Salcin was well up to the task.

Despite throwing caution to the wind, Dandenong couldn't keep its winning streak alive with Whittlesea running out 0-1 winners.

 

MATCH DETAILS

Dandenong City 0 defeated by Whittlesea Ranges 1 (Piranio 60') at Frank Holohan Soccer Complex, Endeavour Hills

DC XI: 1. Damir SALCIN, 2. Brad CLARKE, 8. Ashley CATTERMOLE, 9. Dario MATKOVIC, 11. Andy JEREZ, 12. Shaun FILIPOVIC, 18. Chris SANITA, 5. Alex ROJAS, 4. Robbie WYNNE, 7. Keegan ZIADA, 15. David DI'ORIO

Subs: 16. Simon STOREY, 13. Anthony MIJAC, 17. Daniel BUHIC, 20. Erhan FILIZ, 42. Anthony CASSET

Yellow card(s): Andy Jerez 37', 46'

Red card(s): Jerez 46'

WR XI: 1. Gian TAPIA, 2. Pavle DURKIC, 4. Mario PIRANIO, 6. Andrew TAYLOR, 7. Matthew CUNDARI, 15. Matthew KUNDEVSKI, 17. Stefan BARICEVIC, 19. Adem MASTADANAGIC, 20. Tobias HAEGELE, 23. Giosue TOLOMEO, 27. Atila OFLI

Subs: 9. Daniel PELUSO, 10. Matthew IULIANO, 13. Ilhan ALTUNAS, 21. Andreos BACHOS, 27. Jarrod HILL

Yellow card(s): Mario Pirano 59', Adem Mustadanagic 42', Daniel Peluso 82'

Red card(s): None