Red Devils facing relegation

BY TIM O'CONNOR
18 Jun, 2010 11:47 PM

WHEN you're trying to fight your way out of a relegation battle, taking points from the teams around you is vital.

That's what the Ballarat Red Devils must do in today's clash with Geelong Rangers.

Sitting last, two points adrift of the 10th-placed Rangers, the Haymes Red Devils can't afford to give up three points to a team expected to be fighting out a position at the bottom of the Football Federation Victoria state league two table.

After a break over the long-weekend, Ballarat coach Dale Harris knows how crucial today's match at Trekardo Park is to his team's chances of surviving relegation in 2010.

''If we win today and then beat Banyule City next week it will basically take us two or three points out of the relegation zone,'' Harris said.

"All of the players realise the importance of this game and I don't think anyone wants us to win more than the boys themselves, especially with two of their old teammates playing for Geelong.''

That pair is forward Jani Posch and left-back Marcus Lynch, who left the Red Devils early in the season due to a lack of starting line-up opportunities.

But Harris doesn't want to focus on the personal battles, rather hoping the ''soccer will do the talking''

He has been pleased with the style of play the team has produced in the opening nine matches, but admits the impressive performances need to be turned into goals, aided by a bit of luck.

''We've created numerous chances, we just can't find the back of the net,'' he said.

"The upright has come to the other team's rescue, the defenders clear ball of the line or the goalkeepers have had the greatest game of their lives."

In an unchanged starting line-up to the team that lost 1-0 to Altona City last round, striker Paul McClounan keeps his place in the starting 11 alongside Sam Winch, while the important Franck Labakohler is missing on the

bench, but is expected to return in time for next week's clash with the ninth-placed Banyule City.

http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/red-devils-facing-relegation/1862868.aspx