Red Devils ready for Moreland

29 Apr, 2011 11:43 PM

FEW teams have started the Football Federation Victoria state league two season in better form than the Ballarat Red Devils. Today’s opponent Moreland City is one of them.

Top of the table Moreland City is yet to lose a match and has scored 14 goals in its opening three matches. Those games included big wins over Geelong (7-2) and Banyule (5-1) in the past fortnight. Welsh import Darren Griffiths bagged seven of those goals, including two hat-tricks.

In addition, Moreland won its Mirabella Cup clash against state league one side Fawkner Blues last Saturday 3-2, highlighting its strong form.

After a 14-day lay-off from the league, the Haymes Red Devils will be equally hopeful of continuing the form they have shown, at Moreland. In the past fortnight the Red Devils have played two Mirabella Cup matches for two wins, and have only lost once this season.

“Moreland was very impressive on Saturday against one of the top state one sides and have only lost one game since the 4-0 defeat to us in round 12 last year and that was the final game of the season to champions Port Melbourne,” Ballarat coach Joe Fedele said.

“They are determined to win promotion to state one this season so it’ll be our biggest test of the year without doubt.”

The pitch at Moreland is not in as good condition as Trekardo Park, with Fedele likely to tinker the game plan with a view to playing the ball longer to front men Paul McClounan and Kyran Taylor.

“I think we’ve been poor in front of goal of late but we’ve been fortunate to not really be punished for it,” Fedele said. “Against Moreland, we need to be clinical in the final part of the pitch and take advantage of the chances we create. This has been our focus at training all week”

The Reds will go into the match with the same line-up that started against Clifton Hill, apart from Adam Newbold who has a hamstring injury. Newbold is a chance to return in time for Ballarat’s next home match, against Brunswick at Trekardo Park.

On what is likely to be a bumpy surface there will be plenty of tackling and physical work to be done and Ballarat will rely heavily on Josh Romein and Brian Shelley.

At the back, Michael Leslie, Tristan Romein, David King and Charlie King are likely to have their busiest match to date this season, as will Red Devils number one Darryl Newby.

“The depth of the squad will be tested this week as this will be our seventh match this month, but I’m certain the players will lift for the top team in the league,” Fedele said.

Red Devils attack back to full strength

07 May, 2011 01:03 AM

THE BALLARAT Red Devils will show plenty of front when they take on Brunswick City today at Trekardo Park.

Big forward Adam Newbold has returned from a hamstring strain in time to join new Irish recruit Paul Byrne on debut.

Both strikers trained strongly during the week, both are over 188cm tall, and are likely to create plenty of headaches for their Bruswick opponents.

With two wins and two losses from the opening month of the season, the Ballarat Red Devils face an opponent that is below them on the ladder for the first time this season.

“It great to finally have all of our strikers available for selection,” Ballarat coach Joe Fedele said.

“We’ve been missing a target man up front over the past few weeks so it’s great to have Adam back. He is a class player and really adds to the whole team set up.”

The match will see former League of Ireland premier division rivals Byrne and Brian Shelley play in the same side together.

Byrne represented Bray Wanderers in the elite Irish competition, while Shelley most recently played with Bohemians FC.

Ballarat is fifth on the Football Federation Victoria state league two table, while Brunswick after sits ninth after being knocked off last week by Banyule City.

To date, the Haymes Red Devils are unbeaten at home and winless away. They will look to keep their unbeaten run at home going and making up for the disappointment of last weekend’s 6-1 defeat.

In a close match last season at Trekardo Park, Ballarat won with a late Sam Winch goal.

Winch will have surgery on his knee in the coming weeks.

With Michael Leslie out for a week through suspension, Jermaine Fletcher will also be making his first appearance for the club among up to four changes to the team.

“We’ll make three to four changes in personnel to the starting XI and we may even have a few others change position,” Ballarat coach Joe Fedele said. “The boys have trained really well all week and hopefully we can get the job done with a win and push us up the ladder.”

http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/soccer-red-devils-attack-back-to-full-strength/2155786.aspx

Lady Devils face uncharted terrain

07 May, 2011 01:04 AM

A TRIP into unknown territory is the Ballarat Lady Devils’ first away assignment in Football Federation Victoria women’s state league one competition this season.

The Blockbuster Lady Devils take on newcomer Albert Park, promoted from FFV state league two south-east at the end of last season, tomorrow at Bob Skilton Oval.

With little knowledge of Melbourne metropolitan team, which Ballarat is yet to meet in state league competition, coach Rick Romein said the Lady Devils’ focus would have to be on playing their own game.

“My expectation for this weekend’s match is to see how consistent we are”, Romein said.

“I will also be interested to see what the girls have learned from training, and how we approach this game, especially as Albert Park are an unknown opponent.

“The first four-five weeks will tell us exactly where we are.”

The Lady Devils have made a number of changes to the line-up since last weekend, with Beth Taylor out with a sore knee. Delaney Martin will undergo a fitness test prior to the match after injuring her hip.

Lisa DeJong, meanwhile, will make a return after knee surgery last year while under-18 graduate, Ella Pipkorn, gets another chance to show her skills on the park tomorrow.

http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/soccer-lady-devils-face-uncharted-terrain/2155787.aspx

Injury takes shine off Reds' points

BY DAVID BREHAUT
16 May, 2011 12:56 AM

A WOUNDED Ballarat Red Devils earned their first away point of the Football Federation Victoria state league two season with a nil-all draw against Whittlesea Ranges on Saturday.


However, injuries were the story of the day for Haymes Red Devils.



Charlie King went off with a broken nose after 20 minutes.



Then Adam Newbold rolled an ankle in the second half and Paul Byrne limped off after treatment for an ankle injury with five minutes to play.



On top of this, skipper Josh Romein received two yellow cards in the space of five minutes to be sent off with 15 minutes left on the clock.



Ballarat coach Joe Fedele highlighted the need to improve discipline.



"Three red cards in three away games is poor, especially when we're up against the top three teams in the league," he said.



"We pride ourselves on our fitness, but we can't take advantage of that when we're forced to play the final 20-25 minutes with 10 men."



Fedele said this was the period Ballarat should be dominating, but instead its is forced on the back foot.



"We must keep 11 on the pitch at all times."



Second-placed Whittlesea started well, but Brian Shelley and Josh Romein worked hard in the middle of the park to keep the Reds in the contest.



The Ranges had a good chance to go ahead on 16 minutes with a goal-mouth scramble, but the Ballarat back line, led well by Michael Leslie and Tristan Romein, cleared the area.



With King off, Kyran Taylor was substituted in and looked dangerous in attack.



Josh Romein had an opportunity to give Ballarat the lead on 30 minutes when the ball dropped to him, but from 10 metres his shot went wide.



The second half mirrored the first, with each team desperate not to concede a goal.



Shelley had the final shot for the Reds on 83 minutes, with a long-range dipping shot from 30m finding the Ranges' keeper.



The Ranges are now unbeaten in 25 matches in a row.

http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/injury-takes-shine-off-reds-points/2164858.aspx

Ballarat Red Devils aim for FFA Cup

BY TIM O'CONNOR
31 May, 2011 01:00 AM

TWO more wins, and the Ballarat Red Devils could land on the national stage.


With the idea of a country-wide Football Federation Australia Cup gaining momentum, the success of the Haymes Red Devils' Mirabella Cup campaign could prove vital in securing a berth in the inaugural competition.



Red Devils Football Department head Duncan Smith believes six clubs, plus A-League teams Melbourne Heart and Melbourne Victory, would represent Victoria in the FFA Cup.



Smith said these were likely to be the Mirabella Cup quarter-finalists.



Ballar at is one of 24 teams left in the FA Cup-style tournament, with its next clash against Victorian Premier League side St Albans expected to take place on June 13.



Should the Red Devils win this fixture - which will be played at home - and then prevail in the Super 12 phase, they would reach the quarter-finals.



Smith said the possibility of clinching a spot in the FFA Cup was a massive incentive for the club.



"It'd be the biggest thing to ever happen for our sport in Ballarat, and probably for all sport in Ballarat, to be playing a fully professional team in an actual real game," Smith said.



"It would be massive for everybody connected with the club and the city."



Football Federation Australia clearly has the FFA Cup in its sights, and this month called for the withdrawal of Heart and Victory from the Mirabella Cup.



The governing body fears that A-League involvement in the Victorian competition could affect the success of the FFA Cup.



"In the past few months consideration of a national FFA Cup has been warmly embraced by the Hyundai A-League clubs and Member Federations," the FFA said in a statement.



"Work is under way to develop the ideas into a viable plan that would connect the grassroots to the national professional competition in a way that's never been achieved before.



"Many stakeholders want to see the FFA Cup come to life and we need to give the idea every chance of success."

http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/sport/general/ballarat-red-devils-aim-for-ffa-cup/2179650.aspx

Lady Devils remain two points clear at the top

BY TIM O'CONNOR
31 May, 2011 12:53 AM

BALLARAT Lady Devils are two points clear at the top of Football Federation Victoria women's state league one ladder after a 3-1 win over South Yarra at Trekardo Park.


The Blockbuster Lady Devils made a patchy start to the match on Sunday, having the majority of the play but coughing up possession with wayward passes.



The South Yarra goalkeeper was unable to hold onto any of the shots cleanly. The Lady Devils were unable to take advantage of this until the 30-minute mark when a Keely Shepherd shot came off the post, and after a scramble with the keeper, Tina Benoit was able to get a foot to the ball and force it into the net.



South Yarra levelled the scores 10 minutes into the second half, before the Lady Devils took control of the match with an increased work-rate and second efforts.



Ruby McDowell was a steady player in the backline in her first senior game for the club, and settled in well with Holly Williamson and Maddie Muir. Shepherd came into the side after Liz King was sidelined with a knee injury on Thursday.



Ballarat's next two goals came after strong play from Sally Gentle.



Gentle took on the goalkeeper and restored the Lady Devils' lead, and 10 minutes later, forced the keeper to parry a shot into the path of Delaney Martin, who completed the easiest of tap-ins.



Coach Rick Romein found the game very frustrating from a coaching perspective.



"Our mindset was poor prior to the game, after watching our reserves totally demolish the opposition 13-0," Romein said.



"From that point on, we knew we had a difficult job preparing the squad for the senior game. Our defence, and midfielder Tessa Curtain, kept us in the game in the first half. They were positive in decision making and also their technical ability.



"To give credit to the girls, they did try very hard as individuals, but from a team point of view, we've got a lot of work to do. We need to be consistent week in, week out and not just come up for the big games, but for every game.



"We have a tough couple of weeks coming up and we need to score goals."
http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/sport/general/lady-devils-remain-two-points-clear-at-the-top/2179651.aspx

Reds' Irish import heading home

BY GAV MCGRATH
01 Jun, 2011 11:07 PM

ONE of the Ballarat Red Devils’ Irish recruits will play his last game for the club on Saturday.

Striker Paul Byrne will head back to Ireland on Monday, citing homesickness and matters of the heart.

Byrne has struggled to make it onto the pitch since coming to Australia after having surgery on his ankle but has strung a number of games together in recent weeks.

Ballarat coach Joe Fedele said Byrne’s departure after Saturday’s Football Federation Victoria state league two match at Trekardo Park against Banyule City would be a major loss for the club.

“Being here for so long while he was injured for five months, away from his girlfriend, it was just one of those things,” Fedele said yesterday.

“Once their mind is made up, it is made up.

“It is something (Byrne) has been thinking about for a while. He was able to get a flight out on Monday.

“He was really showing some form. I’ve never seen a player get up so high for headers, he has an amazing leap. I’ve watched a bit of AFL and he gets up as high as any of them.

“He is still recovering from his ankle surgery. We expect he’ll go back to Ireland, rest up for the rest of the Irish season and play in the Irish Premier League next season.”

Fedele said Byrne’s departure would create a hole in the Haymes Red Devils line-up on the field and off it.

He said the club’s decision to pursue the 24-year-old former Bray Wanderers and St Patrick’s Athletics player in the first place was a worthwhile exercise, despite him playing fewer than half a dozen games for Ballarat.

“It was worth the shot but didn’t work out. If we had an opportunity of having Paul play here again I’d jump at the chance,” Fedele said.

“I think he’s been brilliant off the field. He has been great in the changerooms, a bit of a leader without doubt and one of those people who can make a joke and lighten the mood.”

Byrne’s decision to leave creates further problems for the Red Devils, who have been hit by a plethora of injuries this season.

English imports Leigh Sissons and Sam Winch are out for the season with knee injuries, while Adam Newbold is still 3-4 weeks away with an ankle injury.

Charlie King will miss another week with an ankle injury, Kyran Taylor has missed a couple of games with a leg injury, Will Georgiou has a groin strain and Luke Wigmore missed Friday night’s match with a calf injury.

“The depth of the squad has really been tested of late and losing key players like Newbold and Charlie King have a huge impact on the side’s performance and the line-up we can put out on the park,” Fedele said.

http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/reds-irish-import-heading-home/2182534.aspx

Red Devils' Mirabella Cup change

09 Jun, 2011 11:02 PM

The Ballarat Red Devils will have to wait at least another week for their next Football Federation Victoria Mirabella Cup match, after fifth-round opponent St Albans failed to re-schedule its Victorian Premier League match on Sunday.

The Haymes Red Devils had planned to host the cup fixture this weekend, to coincide with a break in the FFV state league two program, but will now have to wait for FFV to schedule the game.

FFV will decide on a date and time for the match within the next week or so, leaving the Red Devils with this weekend off.

“It has taken almost two weeks of dealing with St Albans, the FFV and other parties, including the City of Ballarat, but in the end is was just too hard to move so many fixtures around,” Ballarat football manager Duncan Smith said.

“At the end of the day, St Albans doesn’t have any lights at their ground and this is the biggest problem. If they did, the match they are playing on Sunday would have been played weeks ago on a Wednesday night, when it should have been, and we would be playing the cup match this Saturday.

“It is still our home match and we are working closely with the FFV right now to have that match played later in the season at home and hopefully at Trekardo Park. That will take some rearranging, but the club feels very strongly that it will be played in Ballarat and not Melbourne.”

The break has one benefit for Ballarat, though, with centre forward Adam Newbold likely to return in time for the Red Devils’ next outing.

Newbold had been a chance to make an early return from a long-term ankle injury, had the Red Devils played tomorrow, but is now almost a certainty to be named for the following Saturday’s match against Westgate.

The English import completed light training last week, and stepped up at Tuesday’s session.

“It is almost pretty close to done. If we had a game on Saturday I would have been very suprised if he did not play,” Smith said.

“The week off will have helped, no doubt. It will have been 35 days since he did the injury by the time we play Westgate, next Saturday.”

Newbold injured his ankle against Whittlesea four weeks ago and looked likely to miss six to eight weeks. However the injury has responded well to treatment and rest.

“It’s feeling good at the moment and I am now at about 75% and hitting the ball pretty well,” Newbold said.

“It has been really frustrating sitting watching the boys over the past few weeks, but they have got a couple of good wins and now we are pushing to get ourselves into the top four by the end of the month and then see what happens in the second half of the season.”

http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/red-devils-mirabella-cup-change/2191067.aspx

Reds' biggest signing is off-field

BY GAV MCGRATH
08 Jun, 2011 10:41 PM

BALLARAT Red Devils general manager Andrew Burgess describes him as the club’s most significant signing – bigger than either Brian Shelley or Adam Newbold.
Former Blackpool, Leeds United and Notts County player and now Red Devils technical director Paul Smalley is on a mission to bring a new level of professionalism to the club on and off the park.

Smalley said his role would include providing a technical blueprint for soccer in Ballarat that will position the region as one of the strongest centres for the sport outside the metropolitan area. It would cover both men and women’s soccer, and could ultimately open the door into the Victorian Premier League or higher.

“It is possible,” Smalley explains. “There are championship and premier league clubs in England from smaller cities than Ballarat. The Red Devils have the potential to progress in that way but you cannot build a house without solid foundations.

“My role is one that advises and makes recommendations in order for the club to position itself for that. There is a need to change and move forward.”

Since finishing his playing career after 12 years, including representing England at under-18 level, Smalley has held a variety of technical and development roles in the sport around the world.

Twelve years ago he was appointed regional technical director in England for the Midlands, central and eastern regions when he was 32, the youngest to be appointed for the role. During that period Smalley was involved in coaching England’s youth teams in under-12 through to under-21 age groups: squads that included David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, Ashley Cole and Joe Cole.

In 2000 he became technical director for soccer in New Zealand, a position that covered development from grass roots soccer to the country’s international team, before making the move to the United States to become executive director for association football in Minnisota.

A move back to England followed two years later to develop a national strategy for the England Football Association, before a stint at then premier division club Portsmouth as head of youth development. Smalley has since moved to Australia, where he now finds himself part-time at Trekardo Park, in addition to having a full-time job at Football Federation Victoria. The role with the club is strictly separate from the one with FFV. “Because I’ve been at the top level for 25 years I made a family decision that I want to see my family grow up,” Smalley says. “I had planned to go back to New Zealand before a conversation between FFV and the Red Devils.

“I wanted a regional role with FFV and a technical role for the Red Devils. I would’ve considered other options if it wasn’t for the enthusiasm of Andrew Burgess who gave me an understanding of the possibilities we could achieve at Ballarat.”

Smalley’s brief at the Red Devils is a broad one. It may also shake up what is essentially an amateur organisation.

“In order to attain the level of progress (to higher leagues), that leads on to the ability to entice players to the club and part of that should include full-time capacity,” Smalley says.

Smalley says his short-term objectives are to create formal job specifications for the region’s technical coaches, improve the medical support for players, develop the ability to offer strength and conditioning training, and make people involved in the sport aware they have to be more productive, whether it be technical people, operational or administrative.

http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/soccer-reds-biggest-signing-is-offfield/2189863.aspx?storypage=0

Lady Devils remail unbeaten after 3-3 draw against Cairnlea
13 Jun, 2011 10:33 PM
BALLARAT Lady Devils continued their undefeated run at Trekardo Park with a hard fought 3-3 draw against Football Federation Victoria women’s state league one rivals Cairnlea.

The Blockbuster Lady Devils have not lost a game at Trekardo Park since round eight in 2008.


Ballarat looked set to continue their winning run with two goals in the first 11 minutes of Sunday’s contest.


Leah Cushion opened the scoring for the Lady Devils in the eighth minute, capitalising on a mistake from the Cairnlea goalkeeper.


The visiting keeper was in the action just three minutes later, with a clumsy attempt after great attacking passing between Delaney Martin, Sally Gentle and Tina Benoit.


The defender tried to clear the ball, but found the back of the net instead.


A penalty shot saved by the Cairnlea keeper right on half-time kept the score 2-0 going into the break.


Cairnlea started the second half strongly and with purpose, managing three goals in the next 26 minutes.


Ballarat goalkeeper Chloe Farnsworth was unlucky to have the ball kicked out of her hands for Cairnlea’s third goal, which gave them the lead.


The Lady Devils continued to attack, and an accurate pass from Martin to Tessa Curtain saw the ball at the feet of Beth Taylor.


Taylor produced her trademark shot from outside the 18-yard box at the 77th minute mark to level the scores.


Ballarat coach Rick Romein conceded the game was one of missed opportunities.


“Our girls had five very good opportunities to score in the first half and we came away with two goals when we were well on top,” Romein said.


“We didn’t punish them in the first half when we had the chance to put the game out of their reach. The girls possibly came out after the break thinking we had already won the game.


“To Cairnlea’s credit they pressured us everywhere, upset our game and scored three goals mostly due to our lack of communication.


“It was 25 minutes into the second half when the girls started to respond and showed tremendous character to fight back and get an equaliser,” said Romein.


The only injury in the game was to Taylor, who copped a knock to the ankle.


The Lady Devils now look ahead to another home game, this time against Brighton.
http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/sport/general/lady-devils-remail-unbeaten-after-33-draw-against-cairnlea/2193606.aspx

Red Devils continue their dream run

21 Jun, 2011 12:11 AM

BALLARAT continued its dream run at Trekardo Park with a 5-1 win over Westgate on Saturday.
The Haymes Red Devils took their record to 18 goals from just five Football Federation Victoria state league two matches in Ballarat this season.

The home side came out of the blocks well and on 12 minutes took a well-deserved lead.

Brian Shelley played a free kick into the box and Josh Romein was on hand to force the ball over the line off his hip.

On 25 minutes, Ballarat should have been two up when Newbold saw off two Westgate defenders, and with the goalkeeper missing the ball, Kyran Taylor had the whole goal to aim at but somehow missed the target.

This wasted opportunity came back to haunt the Reds a minute later when Westgate got back on level terms from a free kick.

Westgate had its tails up, and Daniel Tinker was forced to clear the ball off the goal line and a minute later goalkeeper Daryl Newby misjudged a cross that found its way into the net. His mistake went unpunished as the referee called for a foul on the Reds’ number one.

After the break, things looked even until the Reds piled on three goals in as many minutes.

Westgate failed to clear properly from a corner on 57 minutes and Taylor fired the loose ball home through a crowd of players.

Taylor turned provider when he picked out Newbold on the penalty spot, and with the two Westgate centre-halves each side of him, he out-jumped the pair and buried his header into the top corner of the net.

The Red Devils supporters only had to wait another 50 seconds until Ballarat’s fourth goal.

Newbold and Paul McClounan were causing panic in the Westgate backline, and Adrian Curtain pounced on another loose ball on the edge of the box to score with a low drive.

Newby made a couple of smart saves to keep the Reds’ lead in tact, and with four minutes left on the clock substitute Franck Labakohler got himself on the scoresheet when he was well picked out at the back post by Tinker and half-volleyed the ball home.

Red Devils coach Joe Fedele had concerns despite the four-goal margin.

“At the end of the day I was happy with the end result, but we need to play for 90 minutes and have greater concentration if we’re going to achieve anything this season,” Fedele said.

“I was very disappointed with the group as we walked into the rooms at half-time as we were making too many basic errors.

“The players were well aware of my thoughts on the first half performance and we tinkered with a few things to try improve in the second half.

“We started the second half much better, and the quick goals while their centre half was off getting treatment to a head clash helped settle our nerves and allow the boys to play with more confidence.”

http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/sport/general/red-devils-continue-their-dream-run/2201348.aspx?storypage=0

A-League: Melbourne Heart eyes Red Devils player

29 Jun, 2011 01:11 AM

CHARLIE King is a wildcard chance to claim a place on Melbourne Heart’s under-20 team list.
The Melbourne A-league club yesterday confirmed the young Ballarat Red Devils ace was on a list of young players still under consideration for its junior development squad for the forthcoming season.

Heart youth team coach and former Socceroo John Aloisi was a spectator at the Haymes Red Devils Football Federation Victoria state league two match against Altona City on Saturday.

Melbourne Heart football manager John Didulica said, while the Heart under-20 squad would not be selected for two more months, King continues to impress the A-League club.

“The club is fielding an inaugural youth team later this year in October in the under-20 National Youth League competition,” Didulica confirmed.

“One of the players who has really impressed us is Charlie King. He did some trials with us in January and really impressed, and has played two (trial) games for us and done himself no harm.

“Without putting a number on it, there is a significant number of young players in that 16-20 age group across the state we’re looking at.

“That said, Charlie is one who has caught our eye over and above most of those. We’ve kept an eye on him and that included looking at him last week.We’re unlikely to make any decisions until August.”

The 17-year-old played 45 minutes in the reserves on Saturday after missing a month’s soccer with an ankle injury. He scored two goals in the Red Devils reserves 4-0 victory over Altona.

King is almost certain to be promoted back into the senior team for this Saturday’s match against Williamstown in Melbourne.

http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/sport/football-australian-rules/aleague-melbourne-heart-eyes-red-devils-player/2211644.aspx

Mirabella Cup: Red Devils eye future glory

07 Jul, 2011 10:27 PM

PAUL McClounan and David King were not part of the Ballarat Red Devils senior side the last time the team earned a piece of silverware in 2007, when Ballarat took the championship match to win the Football Federation Victoria state league three premiership.

So both agree tomorrow’s Mirabella Cup fixture against Victorian Premier League side St Albans at Trekardo Park represents the biggest match of their careers to date.

The Haymes Red Devils are likely to name an unchanged team when they play for the opportunity to progress to the Super 12s round of the FA Cup-style knockout tournament.

If they make it that far, the Red Devils will then collide with premier league powerhouse Hume City.

Tomorrow’s match will start at 1pm.

http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/mirabella-cup-red-devils-eye-future-glory/2219959.aspx

SOCCER: Ballarat Red Devils advance in Mirabella Cup

09 Jul, 2011 03:27 PM

BALLARAT Red Devils stayed in the hunt for the statewide Mirabella Cup with a 3-1 win over St Albans in Ballarat Saturday.

Not even missing a second half penalty could stop the Reds' charge.

Ballarat scored in the opening minutes of the Football Federation Victoria knockout competition tie at Trekardo Park and took a 1-0 lead to half-time.

However, St Albans needed only 20 seconds after the resumption to level the scores.

Ballarat again took the lead on 58 minutes and then sealed the game on 86 minutes

http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/news/general/soccer-ballarat-red-devils-advance-in-mirabella-cup/2221309.aspx

Hume City tips Red Devils out

BY GAV MCGRATH
20 Jul, 2011 11:25 PM

FOR just over a half last night the Ballarat Red Devils dared to dream.

Adam Newbold had goaled, and the home team was ahead 1-0 in its Mirabella Cup match against one of the most powerful soccer clubs in the state.

However, Hume City kept its cool, scored two brilliant goals, and tipped Ballarat out of Football Federation Victoria’s FA Cup-style knock-out competition.

The Haymes Red Devils led their highly credentialled opponents for close to 50 minutes at Morshead Park and, even after falling a goal behind 38 minutes into the second half, attacked the Hume City goal. In the very last minute of the match Brian Shelley came within half a metre of nailing an equaliser.

Ultimately they were beaten by a very good team, Ballarat coach Joe Fedele said after the match.

“It was a tough game against one of the best teams in Victoria,” Fedele said. “The boys matched them and held their structures well.

“(Hume City’s) goals were a touch of class.”

Newbold scored on 23 minutes from a free kick just outside the square to give Ballarat the lead. Taking the kick quickly, the English import curled the ball around the opposition wall into the far top corner of the net.

Unfortunately for the home team, Newbold had a hamstring twinge late in the first half and was subbed off, robbing Ballarat of its most dangerous forward.

Fedele said the decision to remove Newbold was about “safety first”.

“If it was a league game Adam would have stayed on,” Fedele said. “If he had played on, who knows what the result would have been?

“We took (Daniel) Tinker, Charlie King and David King off as well during the night. We’re four points off top (in FFV state league two), so it was safety first.”

Former Queensland Roar player Zoran Petrevski goaled three minutes into the second half for Hume City. Petrevski trapped the ball, turned on the spot and then struck it into the top corner of the goal.

Hume’s second came from 2009 Victorian Premier League player of the year Ross Thompson.

In between Ballarat was denied a penalty when Franck Labakohler was brought down in the penalty box.

Labakohler had replaced Nelson Salvatore, who had been lively in the first half in his second senior game.

Jermaine Fletcher, Josh Romein and Shelley were among a number of Ballarat players who performed well.

“The boys were brilliant,” Fedele said. “If the boys continue to play like that we can win the league.”

Ballarat now has a three-day turnaround before taking on top-of-the-table Moreland City at Trekardo Park on Saturday.

http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/sport/general/hume-city-tips-red-devils-out/2233282.aspx

First loss in six weeks for Ballarat Red Devils

25 Jul, 2011 08:39 PM

TOP team Moreland City has inflicted Ballarat Red Devils’ first Football Federation Victoria state league two defeat in six weeks.

Moreland City took the maximum points 3-1 at Trekardo Park on Saturday.

The Haymes Red Devils gave up all three goals in the opening 30 minutes.

Nelson Salvatore provided Ballarat’s only reply on 55 minutes – his first goal for the club.

As well as losing, Ballarat had two players sent off.

Adam Newbold will automatically miss a game as a result of getting two yellow cards, while Charlie King might miss three.

Their absence will give coach Joe Fedele plenty to think about ahead of Ballarat’s next match against third-placed Brunswick City.

Moreland City opened the scoring with a scrappy goal from a corner on nine minutes.

Ballarat then gave the ball away on the halfway line on 21 and 30 minutes and each time paid the price by conceding goals.

If it had not been for the efforts of goalkeeper Daryl Newby, Ballarat might have been facing an even greater deficit.

As it was, the Reds went to the break one man down after Newbold was shown his second yellow card.

Fedele was not surprisingly unhappy with Ballarat at the break.

“There were some promising signs early.

“I thought we were ready to take the game to Moreland.,” he said.

“Once we conceded the poor goal from a corner after 10 minutes, it all went downhill as players lost concentration and could not complete simple passes.

“It ended up being one of our worst halves of the season.” Fedele said.

Ballarat improved its output in the second half with greater commitment and despite having only 10 players dominated the half.

Franck Labakohler was substituted on and within five minutes had the Reds’ first on target shot for the match.

Then a Brian Shelley corner was met by Jermaine Fletcher, but his header went just over the bar.

Salvatore then took his chance, but that was to be it for Ballarat, which later found itself with nine players.

“It’s always easy to play carefree, attacking football when you’re 3-0 down and also short a player at half-time,” Fedele said.

“There’s nothing to lose.

“Although we showed more fight in the second half and managed to hit our targets much more, we were grateful to a combination of poor finishing and a brilliant game from our keeper, that the scoreline didn’t get worse.”

Fedele said Ballarat needed a massive improvement ahead of Brunswick.

http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/sport/general/first-loss-in-six-weeks-for-ballarat-red-devils/2237452.aspx

Red Devils tackle Ranges

BY GAV MCGRATH
06 Aug, 2011 12:28 AM

FOR Ballarat Red Devils coach Joe Fedele, today’s Football Federation Victoria state league two match against Whittlesea Ranges at Trekardo Park is personal.

Not against the Whittlesea players, who he has the highest respect for, but for the club he departed at the end of last season.

The Haymes Red Devils sit equal fourth in state league two on 27 points, two points in arrears of the Ranges in equal second. Beating the Ranges will likely launch Ballarat into third but Fedele says there is more incentive.

“You play against your old club and you want to beat them,” Fedele said.

“Even if we don’t get promoted I don’t want them to get promoted. I was assistant coach there last year and I didn’t exactly leave (Whittlesea) on the best of terms.

“I get on really well with the players, they are a great bunch of guys, but not so much with the committee. The coach (Joe Montagnese) and myself left after we only lost one game during the season and lost the play-off 1-0.”

Boosting Ballarat’s hopes is the return of striker Adam Newbold after a one match suspension.

Fedele said Newbold’s inclusion was important given Whittlesea had the strongest defence in the league statistically.

“He’ll make a huge difference. I think he is one of the best players in the league and we are a much better team with him in,” Fedele said.

“When Adam plays he makes us play a lot more direct. He demands the ball and it stays with him, and he also has the ability to bring other players into the game.

“We were a bit unlucky to settle with a draw last time we played them. Adam injured his ankle last time and Josh (Romein) was sent off, and we still got away with a nil-all draw.”

Daniel Tinker will start on the bench after he injured his knee 10-minutes into last weekend’s match. Former coach Michael Leslie will take his place in the starting XI.


AT A GLANCE


WHERE: Trekardo Park

WHEN: today, 3pm

RED DEVILS LINE-UP

Goalkeeper: 1. Darryl Newby

Defenders: 4. David King, 3. Tristan Romein, 6. Jermaine Fletcher, 29. Michael Leslie

Midfield: 5. Adrian Curtain, 8. Josh Romein, 14.

Brian Shelley, 30. Michael Trigger

Forwards: 24. Adam Newbold, 17. Nelson Salvatore

Substitutes: 23. Daniel Tinker, 2. Franck Labakholer, 9. Paul McClounan, 25. Santo Victor

Reserves: (from) McDowell, Barber, Rykers, Armstrong, Burns, Jamieson, Cotronea, Nigro, Moodley, Ellis, Cartledge, McLeod, Karras, Romein.

http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/sport/general/red-devils-tackle-ranges/2250120.aspx

Lady Devils are out for revenge

06 Aug, 2011 12:30 AM

BALLARAT Lady Devils have a point to prove.

After the weekend’s 4-1 loss to University of Melbourne, the Blockbuster Lady Devils are out for revenge in their Football Federation Victoria women’s state league one clash with South Yarra.

With only five rounds to go before finals, every game is a must-win for the third-placed Lady Devils if they hope to achieve promotion to Premier League.

The Ballarat girls have gone back to basics at training this week, and coach Rick Romein has stressed they need to win their thirds, be accountable and have no excuses.

“After 13 weeks of being unbeaten, this weekend will show the test of the team’s spirit,” Romein said. “South Yarra is a seasoned campaigner and will want to reverse their 3-1 loss in round five at Trekardo Park.

“Our girls must approach this match with an attitude that is determined and focussed.”

Tina Benoit comes back into the senior side after a stint in the reserves and a good week training.

Miff Jennings and Delaney Martin are available this weekend, and their returns strengthen the defence and midfield. Goalkeeper Chloe Farnsworth has a back injury and will be replaced by Miki Tatlic.


AT A GLANCE


SOUTH YARRA v BALLARAT LADY DEVILS

WHERE: Fawkner Park, South Yarra

WHEN: tomorrow, 3pm

LADY DEVILS LINE-UP

Goalkeeper

Miki Tatlic

Backs

Miff Jennings

Holly Williamson

Maddi Muir

Midfielders

Jasmine Emselle

Lisa DeJong

Delaney Martin

Tessa Curtain

Beth Taylor

Forwards

Sally Gentle

Tina Benoit

RESERVES FROM:

Alex Costa, Sam King, Ruby McDowell, Amy Laban, Amber Armstrong, Olivia Ortiz, Montana Faull, Ella Pipkorn, Millie Martin, Keely Shepherd, Leah Cushion, Donna Bogers, Chloe Jackson, Brydie Dickson, Danica Hill, Leah Wright

Emergency: Simone Boorn-Wells

http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/sport/general/lady-devils-are-out-for-revenge/2250177.aspx

Ballarat's King gets Heart offer

BY GAV MCGRATH
10 Aug, 2011 10:59 PM

BALLARAT Red Devil Charlie King will be a Melbourne Heart-listed player this coming season.
King has been invited to join the A-League club’s first youth team after he attended a presentation by Heart in Melbourne last week.

A place on the Heart youth team list qualifies the 18-year-old to play for Heart in the nation’s top soccer competition as early as this season, in addition to being a regular in the national youth competition.

Heart football manager John Didulica yesterday confirmed King had been offered a place in the youth squad, although there had not yet been a formal signing.

“We can’t formally contract players at this stage because of the way Football Federation Australia rules are structured. Once the correct timeline kicks in we’d love to offer Charlie a formal agreement with the club,” Didulica said.

“We had a bunch of young players, 10 to 11 guys in last week, and one was Charlie. The purpose of that presentation was to invite them to join the team. The way the national youth league is structured, with some hard work and some luck the young men given a youth club contract are eligible to play A-League for us.”

The FFA National Youth League combines elements of a development and reserves competition for the A-League. Didulica said Heart had deliberately chosen players it believed would make the step up to the senior national competition.

“We recruited players we think will one day be in an A-League team, and Charlie is an example of that,” he said.

“He has great speed and ability and with the right coaching will step up very quickly.

“From a Melbourne Heart point of view we’re very excited to have a Ballarat player. We wanted to cast our net as wide as possible outside the obvious such as the Victorian Premier League. It can be hard for regional young players to get a look in, so we think it’s great that guys like Charlie can get a chance along with those from VPL clubs or the usual youth process.

“Ballarat (Red Devils) have been fantastic all the way through. It is the model that we hope to see from other regional centres, to promote players rather than protecting them for their own clubs. Hopefully that will attract players in Ballarat to the club and the sport because there is a clear pathway to the top.”

Red Devils coach Joe Fedele said King would take up the offer. He said the prestige that came with seeing King promoted would more than offset the loss of a valued asset for the Haymes Red Devils.

“We lose a quality player but we may gain some too. There are players ready to take his spot and we are now attractive because good players will see that Charlie has come from here,” Fedele said yesterday.

http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/ballarats-king-gets-heart-offer/2254981.aspx

SOCCER: Red Devils' bid for promotion all but over

30 Aug, 2011 12:36 AM

BALLARAT Red Devils’ campaign for promotion in Football Federation Victoria state league two has run out of steam.

Banyule City defeated the Haymes Red Devils 2-1 in Melbourne on Saturday – all but ending their hopes of a top two finish.

To have any hope of reaching the play-offs, Ballarat must win its remaining matches and also hope other games go their way.

Ballarat gifted Banyule two goals.

The Reds’s only goal came from a penalty converted by captain Josh Romein, but it was nothing more than a consolation score.

Ballarat had the first real shot of the match on 12 minutes when Michael Trigger fired wide from 20 metres, but it was Banyule City which took the lead when the Reds failed to deal with a long ball.

After the ball bounced some four or five times and reached the edge of the Ballarat area, Denis Sadik bounced in a shot over goalkeeper Daryl Newby.

That was to be Banyule’s only shot at goal for the first half.

“We always knew it was going to be an ugly game and we had to limit our mistakes,” Reds coach Joe Fedele said.

“The goal came from nothing. We were switched off defensively and were punished,” he said.

Franck Labakohler had an opportunity to score on 64 minutes after getting on the end of a Paul McClounan knockdown.

Then a minute later McClounan set up Nelson Salvatore just inside the box, but his shot lacked power.

Brian Shelley had another decent chance on 69 minutes to get the Reds back in the match. Again though the chance went begging.

Banyule looked dangerous on the counter and on 74 minutes it doubled the lead.

The Reds received a lifeline two minutes later when Trigger was tripped over in the box and Romein scored from the spot.

In the end though, Ballarat wasted too many free kicks around the box and failed to take its chances.

“The lads put in a much better performance, showing the fight that was missing last week, but as has been a problem for most of the year,” Fedele said.

“We are far from clinical in front of goal and don’t take advantage of the chances we do create.

“I thought we deserved a point out of the game, but that’s football,” he said.

“We have a massive game against Werribee this week and we’ll be doing everything we can to win,” he said.

http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/sport/general/soccer-red-devils-bid-for-promotion-all-but-over/2274402.aspx

Ballarat Red Devils on show at AAMI Park

10 Sep, 2011 12:44 AM

COUNTRY Victoria’s champion team. That is the title the Ballarat Red Devils will play off for in the curtain raiser to today’s Mirabella Cup final at AAMI Park.

The Haymes Red Devils will face Cobram Victory for the inaugural Football Federation Victoria Regional Challenge Cup final ahead of the cup final clash between Melbourne Knights and Northcote City.

Ballarat coach Joe Fedele said the final was a fine compensation for the Red Devils’ giant-killing run in the FA Cup-style Mirabella Cup competition.

“This is our last serious game in some ways,” Fedele said. “We are able to play for a trophy so we can get something out of the season.

“In (FFV state league two) we won’t finish lower than fifth, so with our remaining league games we will be looking ahead to next season. We will look at a few fringe and reserve players and see if they will step up.”

David King and brother Charlie King both return to the extended Red Devils line-up for the match.

Apart from injured players, including Adam Newbold, the Red Devils will be at full strength for the match.

“I’ll finalise the side beforehand but we’ll have the entire senior squad doing the warm-up to get a taste of the stadium,” Fedele said.

“We’re fortunate to be given a chance to play for something after a disappointing last couple of weeks and we’ll have our work cut out against a very strong Cobram Victory. The league up there has some big names playing.”

Cobram playing coach Craig Carley was a youth player at Fulham as well as a pro at Millwall and AFC Wimbledon in the English Conference.

Carley, in his second season at Cobram, has brought in midfielder Matt Gray who was a youth player at Chelsea. The pair have knocked in 39 goals between them this season so far.

The Victory also have good players in defence, with Adam Gatcum, who was a youth player at Southampton, and one of the best keepers in the north-east in Kyle Kennedy, who early this season played in the Victorian Premier League with Bentleigh Greens.

There will also be some Ballarat interest in the Mirabella Cup match itself, with goalkeeper Aaron Romein and his midfielder brother Shaun to line-up for Melbourne Knights.

“Obviously I’m very proud,” father Rick Romein said.

“At the start of the season I would have been delighted to see the Red Devils making the regional cup and for the Melbourne Knights to be playing in the Mirabella Cup.”

http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/sport/general/ballarat-red-devils-on-show-at-aami-park/2287301.aspx

Commentators on the Mirabella Cup final are saying Cobram won, scoring after 40 seconds :(

Two soccer clubs in the thick of Ballarat finals action

BY TIM O'CONNOR
22 Sep, 2011 07:13 PM

BALLARAT and North United are well represented in this weekend’s Ballarat and District Soccer Association grand finals.

The Junior Devils will field four teams in deciders, and North five.

Ballarat has sides in the open senior and division three grand finals on Saturday, and the under-15 and under-13 open divisions on Sunday. All are chasing league-cup doubles.

North has an open under-17 team in action on Saturday, boasts both of the under-13 girls participants on Sunday, as well as under-13 open and under-16 female sides.

Junior Devils secretary Peter Conway said it had been a barren run for his club in the past seven or eight years, with just an under-17 double and under-15 cup since the senior league success in 2003. He said this year’s performance shows that the club was back on the right track.

“We really have under-achieved for the best past of a decade. It proves we are at least on the right track and starting to attract players back to the club,” he said.

“We’re getting some fresh blood in through the system which is good.”

http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/two-soccer-clubs-in-the-thick-of-ballarat-finals-action/2301135.aspx