By Max Davies
MITCHELL Rangers’ under 18 side gave it their all in Sunday’s Football Victoria grand final but came up short in a close finish to an encouraging season.
Facing Epping City in the Boys’ Metropolitan 18C division final, the Rangers went down three to one in a penalty shootout after neither side had scored a goal at full time, with overtime ending in a one-one tie.
After more than 90 minutes played with no goals scored, it was Mitchell Rangers’ leading goalscorer Zach Kennedy who found the net to put his side into the lead in overtime.
Epping was able to equalise by the final whistle of overtime, leaving the two teams to battle it out in a tense penalty shootout that left the Broadford side runners-up for the 2023 season.
Rangers coach Jason Gatt said the side had a strong season and were well-prepared for finals.
“We had a fantastic season … we were very well prepared for the game and had a strong build-up. We played exceptionally well on the day … we just didn’t score enough to win the game,” he said.
“I’m extremely proud of the boys, just the way that they’ve conducted themselves during the course of the year, the respect they’ve shown for each other, and the work ethic that they’ve demonstrated. They’ve been an excellent representation of young men in this community.”
The Rangers had put together a strong home and away season with the support of their senior counterparts to secure their spot in the finals series, finishing second on the ladder with nine wins, one loss and two draws.
Epping earned their grand final ticket in a three-nil victory over Watsonia Heights in the September 17 semi-final, while the Rangers worked hard to come out on top against Knox City in a close one-nil contest – their only goal scored by Jayden Bennett in the 48th minute.
Gatt praised the passionate Rangers fans who made the trip to Monbulk to support the team on Sunday, as well as the work of assistant coaches Tom McLoughlin and Cemal Hakki throughout the season.
“We had people in mass that travelled an hour and a half down the road minimum. There were heaps of our club supporting the boys,” he said.
“The senior team have built a real community around these young blokes … so in terms of club and community, it’s just been fantastic and I’m really proud to have that sort of influence happening within the club.”
The club will now gear up for the 2024 season where it will field multiple teams across junior, men’s, and women’s divisions. For more information, visit the Mitchell Rangers Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mitchellrangerssoccerclub.
