By DANIEL CAMPOS (@francisfields)

Photo BALLARAT COURIER

Ballarat Red Devils have put a tumultuous week behind them with a big win over Murray United, defeating the visitors 6-1 on a sunny Saturday afternoon at Morshead Park

The Red Devils found themselves in the box seat early into the match. Proceedings commenced in a positive manner and all guns were firing in the opening five minutes.

Murray United goalkeeper Josh Fluss was tested early on with captain Shaun Romein and Michael Trigger leading the way with their presence and transition on the ball from defence into attack.

Trigger displayed the level of passing quality able to split up the defensive line and his in-form performance began to raise considerable eyebrows in the United structure.

The goals began to flood with Michael Trigger opening his account on ten minutes. Quick one-two passing from the hosts saw Murray United's defence split open much to the delight of the home support, and gave Trigger his chance.

By the half hour both sides looked to settle in.

Emile Damey missed a chance for the visitors whilst Zac Walker also proved threatening with his blistering pace and dribbling.

It was Walker that began to stand out, even if it was by acts of individual brilliance.

With the ball close to his feet, Walker took charge and levelled it up with just five minutes remaining in the first half.

Early in the second half David King was pivotal from the back line to make the scoreline 2-1 for Ballarat. James Robinsons’ team talk worked wonders, with King’s goal coming just 30 seconds into the second half.

From then on, the match was one-way traffic.

Ballarat grew in confidence, as did the vocal support from the hosme fan.

The Red Devils poured its attack and focus onto the right hand side, with Dominic Swinton running rampant. Swinton got his name on the scoresheet on 51 minutes with a finish from the tightest of angles.

Ballarat began to look comfortable with a 3-1 lead.

Swinton kept working on the right wing and got his reward with his second of the afternoon on 62 minutes.

A quick flurry continued as Simon Murphy continued with a tap-in for five.

Murray could have cut the deficit shortly after as Zac Walker forced Red Devils' keeper Aaron Romein into save at full-stretch.

But it was Ballarat to get the next and final goal, with Nelson Salvatore getting his reward on 71 minutes with a neat finish inside the six-yard box.

As the match drew to a close the substitution of Joshua Romein brought the crowd to its feet with his 200th appearance in all competitions.

Match Details

Ballarat Red Devils: 6 (Michael Trigger 10’, David King 46’, Dominic Swinton 51’, 62’, Simon Murphy 63’, Nelson Salvatore 71’) defeated Murray United: 1 (Zac Walker 39’)

Ballarat Red Devils: 1. Aaron ROMEIN, 21. Charles KING, 4. David KING, 14. Daniel FIRTH, 23. Daniel TINKER, 8. Joshua ROMEIN (35. Jake FRANCIS 88’), 17. Shaun ROMEIN, 10. Michael TRIGGER, 11.Nelson SALVATORE, 31. Simon MURPHY (6 Liam HARDING 75'), 15. Dominic SWINTON (22. Patrick KARRAS 66’)

Unused subs: 2. Josh DE VOOGEL, 40. Jason HILL

Yellow Card(s): Nil

Red Card(s): Nil

Murray United: Murray United: 1. Josh FLUSS, 12. Michael JESSUP, 33. Alex WEST (30. Angus KELLY 88’), 23. Ben CHAFFEY, 6. Hudson MAGERSTEIN (18. Lionel MASUDI 58’), 29. Darcy PAWLIK, 4. Hussein NTAKIRUTIMANA, 8. James COUTTS, 9. Mathew HASLER, 22. Emile DAMEY, (19. Tom MORRISSON 66’), 7. Zac WALKER

Unused substitutes: 21. Ben RUSSELL, 5. Daniel CISNEROS.

Yellow card(s): Mathew HASLER 88’

Red card(s): Nil