Reds face a tough side in Mirabella Cup
19 Apr, 2011 12:38 AM
BALLARAT Red Devils face a third Geelong-based opponent in the Mirabella Cup tonight.
After easily accounting for both Bell Park and Surf Coast in the previous two rounds of Football Federation Victoria’s FA Cup-style competition, the Haymes Red Devils come up against Corio.
Ballarat will again go into the match as favourites, but its rivals should not be underestimated.
They finished last season a couple of points away from moving up to state league three and started this season well with a win away from home on Saturday.
“Corio were very unlucky not to get promoted to state three last year finishing third in the league and will easily be our toughest opponent in the cup so far and a real danger game for us,” Reds coach Joe Fedele said.
Fedele has a big squad to pick from this year and all came through the win over Saturday’s opponent Clifton Hill injury-free, except for Adam Newbold.
Every player in the Reds line-up on the weekend played well and Ballarat looked comfortable both with and without the ball.
The midfield is playing well at the moment with Brain Shelley, Josh Romein, and on the flanks Daniel Tinker and Will Georgiou, sending the Reds forward.
At the back, Tristan Romein did well along with Michael Leslie, but one or both could be replaced by Luke Armstrong and Jermaine Fletcher, who performed well in the reserves on Saturday.
“We won’t make too many changes for the cup as we still need to get the players working well together,” Fedele said.
Alex Antonelli could see a bit more game time, as could big centre-forward Franck Labakohler, who missed Saturday’s match through suspension. Top midfielder Luke Wigmore, who has returned to the club this season, will also be in the frame for a starting position after coming on for 25 minutes against Clifton Hill.
If Ballarat wins tonight’s match they will then face tough opposition in state one side North Geelong at Trekardo Park on Saturday in the fourth round of the Victorian Cup.
Tonight’s match against Corio kicks-off from 7pm at Morshead Park.
http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/reds-face-a-tough-side-in-mirabella-cup/2138121.aspx