By Bryce Clayton

Ballarat Red Devils has picked up a crucial three points with a gallant 1-0 win over Springvale White Eagles at White Eagles Stadium on Saturday. 

A Michael Trigger penalty was enough for the away side as it secured yet another victory. 

It was a fairly even start to the game with both sides trying to get a foothold in the game.

The first chance of the game came in the 12th minute when Trigger found himself with space inside the area before firing a shot directly at Jeremy Sandoval, who saved well. 

But it wasn’t just the Red Devils looking dangerous in attack, with Keletso Mthembu breaking through in the 19th minute and having his shot well saved by Aaron Romein.  

The visitors found themselves with another opportunity in the 34th minute, but a 25-yard Trigger free kick was easily dealt with by Romein in goals. 

After withstanding pressure for large periods of the first half, there was nothing the White Eagles could do when Trent Hansen brought down Dom Swinton in the box and a penalty was awarded.  

Trigger stepped up and sent Sandoval the wrong way, slotting the penalty into the bottom left-hand corner in the 39th minute.

Dom Swinton created a host of early chances in the second period, with the highlight a bullet of a strike that narrowly missed to the right. 

But Springvale continued to press, looking for a chance to steal an equaliser on the counter attack.  

A rash challenge saw Jordan Ballerini enter the referees notebook late as the frustration creeped into the White Eagles' game and the Red Devils began to dictate play. 

Joshua De Voogel had a chance to seal it for Ballarat late on, with his shot saved by a desperate Sandoval. 

But in the end it was the Red Devils who held on for an all important three points. 

Match Details 

Springvale White Eagles 0 defeated by Ballarat Red Devils 1 (Trigger 39') at White Eagles Stadium [HT: 0-1]

Springvale White Eagles: 30. Jeremy SANDOVAL, 23. Nenad NIKOLIC, 6. Slavisa SARIC, 11. Ricardo TEIXEIRA, 7. Keletso MTHEMBU (28. Edmon BENJAMIN 76’). 18. Trent HANSEN, 21. Dejan ERAKOVIC, 22. Anthony SELEMIDIS (5. Scott MILLAR 76’), 2. Jordan BALLERINI, 16. Ryan BABARE, 8. Hernan DE RITO

Unused Sub(s): 1. Nikola POPETROV, 33. Zarko MILOJEVIC

Yellow Card(s): 8. Hernan DE RITO 70’, 2. Jordan BALLERINI 85’

Red Card(s): Nil

Ballarat Red Devils: 1. Aaron ROMEIN (GK), 22. Patrick KARRAS, 23. Daniel TINKER, 8. Josh ROMEIN, 3. David KING, 21. Charles KING, 19. Miles BAKER (17. Shaun ROMEIN 68’), 43. Dechlan PICKEN (2. James DOWNEY 62’), 10. Michael TRIGGER, 15. Dom SWINTON (33. Joshua DE VOOGEL 81’), 6. Liam HARDING

Unused Substitute(s): 12. Michael MULLINS, 40. Ryan SCHORBACK

Yellow Card(s): 3. David KING 78’

Red Card(s): Nil