Soccer: hapless Red Devils' ladder bottom blues
25 May, 2010 07:52 AM
BALLARAT Red Devils have slipped to the bottom of the Football Federation Victoria state league two ladder.

The Haymes Red Devils suffered their fifth loss of the season on Saturday, going down to Williamstown Blues 1-0 in Melbourne.

Ballarat's only points have come from two draws.

The Reds are the sole team in the competition without a win and two points adrift of nearest rival Sydenham Park.

Fourth-placed Williamstown scored on a counter attack after 16 minutes.

This stunned the Reds, which up to that point had dominated possessions and kept the ball in Williamstown's half.

A Kyran Taylor corner on three minutes looked to have given Ballarat a perfect start when the Blues' keeper misjudged the flight of the ball _ only to get a finger on it.

Shots by Sam Winch, Sam Muscat and Taylor tested Williamstown's last line of defence, but Ballarat's scoresheet remained blank.

Once it had scored, Williamstown took control and could have gone two up from a corner.

Fortunately for the Reds, Dom Swinton was on the line to head the ball onto the bar away to safety.

Swinton had an excellent match and was a constant headache for the Blues defenders with his pace.

The chances kept coming for Ballarat, but Tristan Romein and Leigh Sissons were among those unable to convert.

Winch had a golden chance to level the match after a run by Muscat late in the opening half, but the shot lacked power and was saved.

Ballarat tackled well after the break, but never had a guilt-edged chance to score.

Franck Labakohler looked lively off the bench and had an opportunity to score from a Swinton cross, but his header went wide.

Michael Leslie sent a free kick wide as did a shot from Swinton as little went right for Ballarat in attack.

Reds had two shouts for penalties in the last 10 minutes, but nothing came of them.

http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/soccer-hapless-red-devils-ladder-bottom-blues/1838883.aspx