Dynamite defence too good for Ballarat Red Devils

GAVIN MCGRATH
29 Jun, 2010 10:13 AM

A BANYULE City defensive flood washed away the Ballarat Red Devils' hopes of salvaging any points from Saturday's Football Federation Victoria state league two match in Melbourne.

The Haymes Red Devils failed to break through Banyule City's 10-man defence in a desperate second half after home team striker Steve Dillon scored against the flow of the match in the dying seconds of the first half.

The loss leaves Ballarat in 10th place on the state league two ladder, a full five points behind Banyule City and still in the relegation zone.

Coach Dale Harris described it as a particularly frustrating match for the Red Devils, who dominated possession and scoring opportunities.

"It was our usual tale," Harris said.

"Banyule scored seconds before half-time from a corner and then put 10 players behind the the ball for the rest of the game.

"They scored against the flow of play after we had dominated for stretches. They just flooded the backline. I don't think they were doing it on purpose. With the amount of attacks, we just forced them to play deeper.

"If you look at the corner counts, we had 13 to their three and that just tells the story."

Harris said the Red Devils' training during the week had focussed on playing Banyule City's small field.

Ballarat used that to good effect defensively, with the defenders combining well with keeper Aaron Romein.

Once the home team scored, however, the small Yallambie Park pitch proved too hard to unlock.

"The field is so small, though it was easy for them to stop us penetrating the 18-yard area. The pitch was in a bad condition as well and that makes it harder to set it up," Harris said.

"There were not many shots on goal because we were blocked on so many occasions. I'd estimate we had about seven to their two."

Despite the defeat Harris remained upbeat about his team's prospects at avoiding relegation. He said the sombre mood in the Red Devils rooms after the match reflected frustration at a lost opportunity.

"Unfortunately it was a very crucial game. The win would have put us above them and completely out of the danger zone," Harris said.

"In all honesty I don't believe we will get relegated. We are playing very good football, perhaps as good as anyone in the league in terms of passing and flow, but we haven't been able to put it in the back of the net.

"It is only a matter of time."

Ballarat's best on the day were Aaron Romein, Michael Leslie and Tristan Romein.


http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/sport/general/dynamite-defence-too-good-for-ballarat-red-devils/1870975.aspx