Goals come easy for young Rangers
GEELONG Rangers feasted on goals at Stead Park last night, flicking aside Barwon in a convincing 7-0 victory.
Stop rubbing your eyes, the scoreline is correct. But it needs to be put into context.
Both sides were significantly weaker than what they will be come the start of the year. State League 2 Rangers rolled out a squad of mainly under-18s players, while State League 5 newbies Barwon didn’t have one senior player on the pitch.
It also had three goalkeepers playing. One in goals and two as outfielders.
So it was a practice match in every sense of the word.
And despite the convincing result, both coaches were happy with what they got.
“We played a lot of kids. We had two new goal scorers, they had never played a senior game before,” Rangers coach Stuart Begg said.
“We had one 15-year-old and the rest are still technically under-18s. It brings a smile to their face and a smile to our face seeing them do so well.”
Young Ranger Jeff Noe threw his name up in lights to claim his first senior goal in the second minute.
Senior players Jasko Ikanovic (two goals) and James Hidic both netted in the first half before putting on their track suit at half time.
Noe got his second after the break, while Tom Santaluccia and John Mlondja also scored.
Rangers fielded a weaker team due to friendly match commitments today, while Barwon has an FFA Cup preliminary round match.
Barwon coach Dale Harris said last night’s result wasn’t important given his club’s FFA Cup commitments.
“We want to make, not a statement, but put in a good show in the FFA Cup,” he said.
“With Rangers we knew what we were up against. We wanted to give some of the reserves and the young boys a shot.
“A few youngsters pulled out and we had to replace them quickly and our bench was getting thinner so the only option was for me to play senior players which I didn’t want to play. So I put on the goalkeepers.”