By Ahmed Yussuf (@ahmedyussuf10)

Whittlesea Ranges ran out 2-1 winners against Moreland Zebras in a game encapsulating Melbourne’s four seasons in a day at De Chene Reserve.

In the 75th minute, Evan Batsis cancelled out Whittlesea attacker Ahmet Turer’s opener but would be denied just six minutes later when Matthew Iuliano scored the winner for the visitors.

The first quarter of the game saw Moreland spring into action, as chances fell to Batsis and Nick Symeoy - the latter having his disallowed goal adjudged offside while the former saw his side’s best first-half chance skew wide.

Despite the early pressure from the home team, Whittlesea began to put its mark on the game, and if not for a superb defensive challenge by Zebras captain Mile Medojedovic, Turer may have found the game's opener.

Not long after, a breakaway from Rangers attacker Kliment Dimitrieski sparked the Moreland custodian into action, but he fouled Dimitrieski in the area and gave away a penalty in the process.

Turer dispatched the penalty with ease to put Whittlesea in front.

The second half began with heavy showers of rain greeting players and officials onto a pitch which had already been heavily watered pre-game with similar bouts of rain.

Moreland attempted to find that elusive equaliser but a run on the left by Danillo Bonillo evaded the outstretched legs of Moreland’s attackers.

Whittlesea defended resolutely, none more heroic than Anthony Raspudic whose sliding interception stopped a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Its defence was wearing thin as Moreland bombarded with attack after attack, and despite Berkan Yurdakul’s goal-saving tackle, the resulting corner led to Moreland’s equaliser.

A brilliantly taken half volley from Batsis made up for his first-half misses.

The equaliser was short-lived when just five minutes later, Whittlesea hit back with a goal from Iuliano after he converted a cut-back from the right wing with just under 10 minutes of regulation time remaining.

The loss marked Moreland’s third loss in a row as it languishes in the bottom reaches of the NPL 1 with four points out of a possible eighteen.

Moreland coach Danny Gnjidic said he was looking for solutions after his side’s recent poor form.

“We haven’t been looking for these results for the past four weeks, we’ve picked up one point out of twelve at the moment,” Gnjidic said.

“It’s a little bit hard to put the finger on what’s resulting us not to get the win, we learn from today and go to the next game.

“[Moreland] aren’t used to these results, and it’s my job to find a solution.”

Whittlesea coach Vinko Buljubasic felt the game should have ended in a draw.

“It was satisfying because last week we dropped three points, we missed two penalties and had numerous chances to win the game,” Buljubasic said.

“Today was more of a battle. A draw would’ve been a fair result but we stuck deep and pressured [Moreland] to get that second goal to kill the game.”

MATCH DETAILS

Moreland Zebras 1 (Evan Batsis 75’) defeated by Whittlesea Rangers 2 (Ahmet Turer (pen.) 27’, Matthew Iuliano 81’) at De Chene Reserve [HT: 1-0]

Moreland Zebras: 21. Nikola Kostadinovski, 7. Scott Robson, 16. Mile Medojedovic, 6. Angus Martin, 18. Adam Centofanti (11. Danny Charalambous, 77’), 5. Nick Symeoy, 19. Brad Murray, 22. Robert Armellini, 15. Evan Batsis, 10. Danillo Bonillo (4. Liam Brian, 88’), 9. Joel Nikolic.

Unused subs: 3. Johnny Crivelli, 13. Mario Piriano, 1. Alex Stojanovski

Yellow cards: Kostadinovski 26’, Armellini 53’, Symeoy 56’, Martin 57’, Piriano 70’.

Red cards: Nil

Whittlesea Ranges: 1. Anthony Raspudic, 4. Mark Vangeli, 3. Berkan Yurdakul, 23. Daniel Sotiropoulos, 15. John Reale, 24. Rami Mustafoski (14. Daniel Peluso 71’), 18. Nicholas Sarbin, 25. Daniel Giogha, 10. Matthew Iuliano. 9. Kliment Dimitrieski, 5. Ahmet Turer (16. Mile Riston 83’).

Unused subs: 2. Lachlan Stagg, 20. Christopher Stojcevski, 7. Jarrod Del Monaco

Yellow cards: Giogha 35’

Red cards: Nil

Image credit: Bruno Silverii