By Chris Hearn (@_ChrisHearn)

Whittlesea Ranges and Ballarat Red Devils have sealed the first 0-0 draw of the PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria 2015 season at Epping Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Ballarat Red Devils goalkeeper Aaron Romein's stellar 2014 campaign has continued into the new season, denying Ranges’ speedster Daniel Peluso throughout the contest.

The hosts surrendered much of the possession against a far more experienced Red Devils outfit, looking to capitalise on its speed in transition.

Ranges defender Mohamed Mohamed nearly caught Romein out with a b early on, after a smart interchange with Peluso to set the full-back free.

Peluso, a former Melbourne City youth player, was on a one-man mission to give his side the lead; he easily skipped away from Ballarat defender Scott Lamon but could only fire his shot into the goalkeeper's chest from an acute angle.

Michael Trigger produced Ballarat's first shot on target in the 42nd minute, with Ranges goalkeeper Gian Tapia collecting comfortably.

As the second half began, Peluso was denied with Callum Ferguson intervening while the striker shaped to shoot after a long pass from Mario Piriana.

Soon after, Shaun Romein's lofted effort nearly caught Tapia stranded, sailing just over the bar.

Romein's goalkeeping heroics continued, as did Peluso's frustrations; Matthew Iuliano's cross found diminutive striker Peluso but the header lacked power and Romein collected.

Iuliano's tackle to dispossess Ferguson presented the winger with a chance, but his tame shot was collected by Romein.

Dominic Swinton's introduction into the match provided the much-needed guile for James Robinson's side who desperately needed a cutting edge in attack.

As the conditions wore both teams down, a near-miss by Trigger was followed by yet another from Peluso, who again found space but lacked the final touch.

The visitors looked the more likely in the dying stages, with Ranges losing shape as fatigue set in.

In stoppage time, Trigger was denied by Tapia's fingertip save. Soon after Whittlesea burst up the other end through substitute Giosue Tomoleo as he jinked his way through, but the danger was eventually cleared by the visitors at the fourth attempt to conclude the action.

Whittlesea travel to face Moreland Zebras next Sunday, while Ballarat host St Albans Saints at Morshead Park.

MATCH DETAILS

Whittlesea Ranges drew with Ballarat Red Devils 0 at Epping Stadium. [HT 0-0]

WHITTLESEA RANGES: 1. Gian TAPIA, 3. Mohamed MOHAMED, 4. Mario PIRANIA (11. Sami NOUR 73'), 5. Daniel SOTIROPOULOS, 6. Andrew TAYLOR, 7. Matthew CUNDARI, 9. Daniel PELUSO, 10. Matthew IULIANO (8. John REALE 80'), 16. Ridvan SAGLAM (23. Giosue TOLOMEO 59') , 17. Stefan BARICEVIC, 19. Adem MUSTADANGIC

Unused substitutes: 20. Tobias HAEGELE 27. Jarrod HILL

Yellow card(s): Mario Pirania 37', Mohamed Mohamed 67', Andrew Taylor 75'


Red card(s): Nil


BALLARAT RED DEVILS: 1. Aaron ROMEIN (GK), 3. Josh ROMEIN, 13. Scott LAMONT (15. Dominic SWINTON 57'), 28. Callum FERGUSON (2. James DOWNEY 72'), 17. Shaun ROMEIN, 10. Michael TRIGGER, 23. Daniel TINKER, 11. Nelson SALVATORE, 31. Simon MURPHY, 22. Pat KARRAS, 19. Miles BAKER (16. Charles KING 57')

Unused substitutes: 35. Jake FRANCIS, 40. Jason HILL

Yellow card(s): Dominic Swinton 59', Simon Murphy 90+1', James Downey 90+1'


Red card(s): Nil