Red Devils must win match

22 May, 2010 01:07 AM

AFTER a soul searching week on the track the Haymes Ballarat Red Devils travel to Melbourne to take on sixth-placed Williamstown in a must-win round seven Football Federation Victoria state league two clash.

Hovering in the relegation zone, Ballarat is in danger of falling further behind if it is unable to start accumulating points.

Reds coach Dale Harris said the team's form is good enough to turn around what has been a barren season so far.

"We always knew that we had a tough start to the season but we go into this week's game knowing that we are good enough to get a result,'' Harris said.

"In the simplest of terms, it's all up to us. We've played some reasonable football in the opening matches but now need to start winning.''

The lapses in concentration have cost the Red Devils dearly.

They have yet to put together 90 minutes of football for an entire match. The Reds go into the match without David King, who has an ankle injury, and is replaced in the line-up by Dom Swinton.

Also coming in is Michael Trigger for Will Georgiou, who was dropped to the reserves.

The backline is settled with centre pairing of Michael Leslie and Tristan Romein, along with wide defenders Luke Armstrong and Charlie King. Leslie and Romein have big jobs in not only defending but getting involved in the attacks with crosses to the front men.

The Reds forwards today will more than likely be the difference between winning and losing this week. Ballarat have done enough through the middle of the park to give Sam Winch and Leigh Sissons chances to score this season but good goalkeeping, bad luck and bad finishing has kept the team to a single goal in all but last week's match.

"The squad has trained very well this week are keen to kick start the season with a good result at Williamstown,'' Harris said.

"They will be no pushover though. They have started the season well and don't give up many goals. I'm confident but more importantly there is still in air of confidence in the playing group this week.''

http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/red-devils-must-win-match/1837228.aspx