By Mark Gojszyk (@hahahamark)

Ballarat Red Devils has come away with a 3-1 smash-and-grab victory over Werribee City at Galvin Park.

Despite dominating the early stages of the game, the hosts fell behind in the 34th minute after an unmarked Paul Harvey volleyed home for the visitors.

The task was made all the more difficult for the Bees as Harvey doubled his tally just after half time.

With time running out, Anthony Ragusa pegged a goal back in the 83rd minute via a goal line scramble from a corner, before Deng Aguek scored one of the individual goals of the season with a 35-yard chip over ‘keeper Tommy Dunn to seal a vital three points for the Red Devils. 

In a crucial battle between two relegation candidates, the opening 30 minutes were played mostly in Werribee’s half, but despite its territorial advantage, chances were hard to come by.

Robbie Naumoski had the first glance at goal from a half-cleared corner kick, but sprayed his shot wide. 

Simon Tolli had the next two chances, with his first strike held by the keeper, and the next sailing wide.

Ragusa and Evan Batsis were providing him good support, running at defenders and opening up play with precise passes.

Meanwhile, Ballarat’s tall defensive combination of Steven Thomson and Daniel O’Donnell made it difficult for the Bees to find a way through on goal, continually cleaning up deliveries into the box.

In the 34th minute however, Ballarat scored against the run of play with its first shot on goal.

Harvey was left unmarked on the right post as a ball was floated across the face of goal from the left, and with Werribee failing to properly clear the ball, the striker hit a thunderous volley past ‘keeper Dunn.

The remainder of the half ebbed and flowed as Ballarat’s defensive four pushed higher up the pitch, but neither side could create clear-cut chances.

Soon after the break Harvey had a brace, adding to Ballarat’s lead after good build up play. 

Shaun Romein won the ball in midfield and passed to Nelson Salvatore, who ran down the wing and cut back to Harvey, and the striker took a touch before slotting home past Dunn.

Ballarat almost added a third goal just minutes later when right-back Sean Harding crossed in a ball – again not dealt with properly by the Werribee defence – which landed at the feet of Salvatore, but his shot was parried by Dunn, who was there again to hold onto Harvey’s follow up header. 

The Bees had a chance to pull one back from a set-piece situation, but Steve Cudrig’s header from point-blank range fell safely into the hands of a relieved Arron Romein.

Werribee continued to poke and prod with balls into the box, but most were cleared successfully by Ballarat’s resilient back four.

Yet it would be the visitors with another clear-cut chance to increase its lead, as Harvey bore down on goal with a hat-trick in sight, only to cut the ball back into the middle of an empty box and squander the opportunity. 

The Red Devils had to endure a sustained period of pressure towards the end of the match, with Werribee committing men forward.

That pressure paid off for the home side as a goalline scramble from a corner kick ended up in the back of the net through Ragusa.

With time running out and Werribee pushing higher, Aguek saw Dunn off his line and attempted an audacious lob, which sailed into the net, sealing a crucial three points for the visitors. 

Werribee’s head coach Nino Ragusa lamented defensive errors against the run of play, but insisted his side still had what it takes to avoid relegation. 

“At the end of the day I thought we were okay, the problem is we’re still leaking goals at the back at critical moments,” Ragusa said. 

“There’s still seven games to go and 21 points to play for – I have faith in the boys.” 

Ballarat coach James Robinson was elated with the win, praising his side’s combined defensive and attacking effort.

“Credit to the boys, it was a great three goals, but also a fantastic team performance,” Robinson said.

“Werribee posed us some problems, but we reacted really well when put on the back foot.” 

Werribee now have a short turnaround and have to travel to Pascoe Vale on Tuesday, while Ballarat also have to travel to play Port Melbourne on Wednesday.

MATCH DETAILS

Werribee City FC 1 (Anthony RAGUSA 83’) defeated by Ballarat Red Devils 3 (Paul HARVEY 34’ 49’, Deng AGUEK 86’) at Galvin Park [HT 0:1]

Werribee City starting XI: 1. Tommy DUNN, 4 Ryan FILIPOVIC, 43 Steve CUDRIG, 2 Ersin KAYA, 10 Damir MARUSIC (15 Julien CASSANO 69’), 19 Robbie NAUMOSKI (Liam BRIAN 56’), 7 Simon ZAPPIA (14 Bobby VIDONOSKI 86’), 6 Anthony RAGUSA, 8 Simon TOLLI, 5 Evan BATSIS

Unused Subs: 12 Roderick YOUSEF, 17 Mathew CUNDARI

Yellow Cards: Damir MARUSIC 49’

Red Cards: None 

Ballarat Red Devils starting XI: 1. Arron ROMEIN, 19 Daniel FIRTH, 18 Daniel O’DONNELL, 25 Steven THOMSON, 28 Sean HARDING, 17 Shaun ROMEIN, 6 Liam HARDING, 11 Nelson SALVATORE (Charles KING 78’), 31 Simon MURPHY (Michael TRIGGER 66’), 7 Deng AGUEK, 9 Paul HARVEY (2 Tristan ROMEIN 89’)

Unused Subs: 40 Jordan FRANKEN, 3. Daniel TINKER

Yellow Cards: Liam HARDING 63’ 

Red Cards: None