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WHITTLESEA Ranges claimed the maximum points in Saturday night's National Premier League Victoria division one match on FC Bendigo's turf at the Tom Flood Sports Centre.
The FC Bendigo line-up went into this contest having achieved three victories and a draw in the previous four rounds.
The Ranges took the lead right near half-time when Andrew Taylor headed the ball from a corner kick into the net.
FC Bendigo had done a lot of attacking in the opening 45 minutes, but could not score.
Whittlesea went further ahead after a counter-attack about midway through the second half.
FC Bendigo playing coach Steve Martin lifted hopes of at least claiming a draw when his strike from a free-kick on the 22-yard box beat the defence.
A few minutes later the whistle sounded to signal a 2-1 win for Whittlesea.
Adding to FC Bendigo's misery was a hamstring injury to classy midfielder-forward Matthew Breeze about 20 minutes to go in the contest.
Breeze was replaced by young gun Daniel Purdy who again had an impact.
“We created enough chances, but just did not capitalise,” Martin said of the round 15 clash.
“The headed goal and then the strike for Whittlesea’s second were both great shots.
“We were only slight off our game, but you just cannot afford to be at this level.”
The night’s play kicked off with FC Bendigo’s under-20 team scoring a 2-1 victory against Whittlesea.
FC Bendigo heads to Coburg next Sunday to play Moreland Zebras.