The Reds smashed higher-placed Whittlesea Ranges 3-0 at Morshead Park, showing no effects of the injuries and illness that tore through the side during the week.

The 3-0 scoreline was not their best on paper for the National Premier Leagues Victoria 1 season, but was perhaps the most satisfying, according to manager James Robinson. 

With a number of usual starters ruled out including Simon Murphy, Daniel Tinker and Pat Karras, it was left to the younger brigade to produce. And produce, they did.

Josh de Voogel starred up forward in his first start on home soil, while teenager Jimmy King put his stamp on the game.

Veterans Dom Swinton and Shaun Romein were not to be outdone, however, with Swinton netting two goals and Romein slotting in seamlessly while playing out of position at left back.

Robinson reserved high praise for the entire team, but said he was especially proud of the younger players who stood up to embrace the challenge on the big stage.

“I couldn’t be happier for the whole team, especially after everything that happened during the week,” he said.

“We were patient, we were resilient and we took our chances when they came.”

After a tight opening to the game, it was Swinton that put the McDonalds Reds in front just before half time after catching out the Ranges defence.

Ballarat led 1-0 at the break, but its best soccer was yet to come.

Swinton scored his second goal after 59 minutes when De Voogel set him up in the open net, before the favour was repaid just two minutes later.

De Voogel scored his first senior goal for the club to put his side 3-0 at the 61-minute mark to steer his side to victory.

Despite the convincing win, Robinson insisted the side not get too far ahead of itself, facing St Albans Saints next week. St Albans beat Ballarat 5-0 in March.