Ballarat Red Devils' star forward out for big match

06 Aug, 2010 12:05 AM

BALLARAT Red Devils can continue their meteoric rise up the Football Federation Victorian state league two table against Whittlesea Ranges tonight.
Only four weeks ago, the Haymes Red Devils were one premiership point off the bottom of the ladder.

A win over second-placed Whittlesea at Epping could lift the Reds one point out of the top four in the championship race. And two-and-a-half games behind a play-off place.

How fortunes can change.

Ballarat is one of the form teams in the league, with four wins and 12 points from its past five games.

The Ranges have two wins and three draws in the same period.

Reds coach Michael Leslie has been forced to make one change, with forward Sam Winch out after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season.

"Winch is a big loss," Leslie said. "He brings goals to the team, pace and power.

"We won't change things around too much though. We will push one of the midfielders up front and bring David King into the backline", Leslie said.

Ballarat is in for a tough night, with Ranges having lost only one match. However, they have drawn seven times.

Leslie says Ballarat will take the game to Whittlesea.

"We'll look to keep them on the back foot and make sure we take our chances," he said.

"We are going there to win, make no mistake.

"If we can get the points, who knows what can happen?"

Ballarat has played Whittlesea twice at Epping Stadium over the past two seasons, winning 4-0 in 2008 and drawing one-all last season.


http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/sport/general/ballarat-red-devils-star-forward-out-for-big-match/1905953.aspx

Red Devils fall in Epping

BY TIM O'CONNOR
07 Aug, 2010 12:21 AM

TWO second-half goals saw Whittlesea Ranges defeat Ballarat Red Devils under lights in Epping last night.
Missing star forward Sam Winch, who was suspended after picking up a fifth yellow card, the Haymes Red Devils were unable to capitalise on a period of dominance after the break in the 2-0 loss.

With the match locked at 0-0 after an even first half, Whittlesea opened the scoring shortly after the re-start.

Two great efforts from Ballarat's best Sam Muscat, a chance from Charlie King and a long-range strike from Kyran Taylor which rattled the cross-bar went unrewarded as the Red Devils failed to find the net during a prolonged period of attack.

Whittlesea then broke the Ballarat hearts with the clinching goal about 10 minutes from time, sealing the result against the run of play.

Red Devils coach Michael Leslie didn't believe his team created enough chances to win the match against a team that had lost just once this season, but praised the work-rate of his players -particularly the efforts of young substitutes King, Taylor and Michael Trigger.

Ballarat will not budge from ninth place on the table regardless of the other round-17 results, and players will now cast minds forward to next weekend's home clash with eighth-placed Williamstown.

Forward Leigh Sissons is in some doubt of playing what will be the Red Devils' 1000th club match after accruing five yellow cards this season.

The club is awaiting confirmation on when the English import will serve the suspension
http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/sport/general/red-devils-fall-in-epping/1906895.aspx