By Shaun Moran @moranshaun

Pascoe Vale staged a remarkable second-half fightback against Ballarat to ensure that both teams would come away with a point in their 2-2 Round 6 draw at Hosken Reserve on Saturday evening.

It was the well-drilled regional team which drew first blood courtesy of some clinical finishing.

Alvaro Carrillo’s dainty pass bobbled up awkwardly for Michael Ferrante, who was the intended receiver of the ball. This was pounced on, which freed up Dominic Swinton to slot past Stefaan Sardelic.

The lead was doubled and the game seemingly wrapped up midway through the second stanza as a result of some questionable defending.

Tomislav Milardovic’s inability to clear his lines enabled the Red Devils to probe and a teasing cross immediately after took a touch off Milardovic’s boot before sailing into the back of the net.

Ferrante breathed life back into the game for Pascoe Vale when he stepped up to curl home a glorious free-kick from close to the halfway line with less than a quarter of an hour to play.

The Vale’s one-man advantage permitted it to throw men forward in a desperate attempt to secure at least a point in the closing stages and it did so when goalkeeper Aaron Romein’s ill-directed punt crashed into Nathen Megic’s back and ricocheted into the back of the net.

Ballarat started the brightest and looked to unravel the hosts in the opening minutes.

Vitale Ferrante’s men did eventually settle, as they grew into the game and began to retain the ball.

A number of corners and some slick passing saw the hosts stamp their mark on the game, despite being unable to breach the Red Devils’ backline.

The first strike of the game buoyed James Robinson’s charges, but the home side did steady and threatened to draw level in the closing stages of the first half.

Ferrante’s hopeful shot after the break went just shy of the goal at the other end before Simon Murphy had a superb chance to put the game to bed for Ballarat.

Murphy failed to pull the trigger ahead of an approaching Sardelic, who thwarted the forward’s attempt.

Substitute Davey van’t Schip went agonisingly close for the hosts in the dying minutes, which preceded Ferrante’s blast that stung the palms of Romein. Luca Santilli had a goal ruled out for offside before the late action culminated in the leveller.

Pascoe Vale boss Vitale Ferrante tried to take the positives from what was at times a frustrating match.

“I thought that the boys showed good character after being two-nil down,” Ferrante said.

“In the last 25 minutes when we played our style, we showed what we’re about and in the end, although it sounds pretty funny, I’m upset that we didn’t get the three points.”

Ballarat coach James Robinson was left lamenting his side’s inability to kill the game off.
“I think we threw it away to be honest,” Robinson said.

“We were in control of the game – we limited their chances when we were two-nil up and lost control in certain areas.

“We need to learn and learn quick.”

Ballarat now turns its attention to its blockbuster match at home to South Melbourne on Saturday afternoon – its first at its new stadium - while Pascoe Vale will look to replicate a similar result to that it achieved a fortnight ago against Heidelberg at Olympic Village on Sunday night.

MATCH DETAILS

Pascoe Vale 2 (Ferrante 76’, Megic 88’) drew with Ballarat Red Devils 2 (Swinton 35’, Milardovic (OG) 73’) at Hosken Reserve [HT: 0-1]

Pascoe Vale: 1. Stefaan SARDELIC, 2. Adrian TALARICO, 3. Nathen MEGIC, 4. Tomislav MILARDOVIC, 6. Roberto DI VITO (11. Jonathan VOULGARIS 62’), 7. Luca SANTILLI, 13. Matthew LAZARIDES (10. Davey VAN’T SCHIP 62’), 14. Alvaro CARRILLO, 15. Mark PISTININZI, 20. Alistair DUNLOP, 21. Michael FERRANTE

Unused subs: 12. Eli LUTTMER, 19. Vladimir KHAMEES, 22. Yaren SOZER.

Yellow Cards: Lazarides (61’), Ferrante (90’+2)

Red cards:  Nil

COACH: Vitale FERRANTE

Ballarat Red Devils: 1. Aaron ROMEIN, 21. Charlie KING, 25. Steven THOMSON, 18. Daniel O’DONNELL, 19. Daniel FIRTH, 3. Daniel TINKLER, 6. Liam HARDING, 13. Michael TRIGGER, 15. Dominic SWINTON, 4. Dane MILOVANOVIC (22. Pat KARRAS 72’), 31. Simon MURPHY (2. Tristan ROMEIN 90’+1).

Unused subs: 0. Jordan FRANKEN, 30. Ibrahim GHULAMI, 35. Adrian CURTAIN

Yellow Cards: Trigger (21’), Harding (44’, 78’)

Red Cards: Harding (78’)

COACH: James ROBINSON