By Danny Campos (@FrancisFields)

Ballarat Red Devils have prevailed over Sunshine George Cross with a hard-fought 0-1 win over their closest rivals at Chaplin Reserve on Saturday afternoon.

A first half goal from Ballarat star striker Dom Swinton was enough to give James Robinson’s boys the win, and make the hour-long trip home with the three points.

The home side started looked to capitalise early, looking to Ayodeji Omoboye to combine with Adrian Logozzo as a way through Ballarat’s defence.

But after 22 minutes of the match looking to go the Georgies’ way, it was Swinton who popped up on the break to find himself some space, dribbling across goal and catching goalkeeper Robert Santilli by surprise to put Ballarat in front.

Soon after, Slaven Vranesevic found himself clear on goal but couldn’t make the most of his chance as a desperate recovery by David King spared Aaron Romein the pressure in goals.

Sunshine tried getting the breakthrough by assigning Bobby Lojanica the role of playing with his back to goal, but Ballarat was too good at shutting down his options in Omoboye and Logozzo in the middle of the park.

Half time came, and Sunshine was forced to look to other options.

The introduction of Adrian Boglis meant not only a fresh pair of legs but the availability of more speed and playing the ball along the ground.

Ballarat held its structure and tried unsettle Sunshine with both long desperate clearance, aerial play and playing out from the back onto the wings in order to avoid most of the game in possession on the middle of the park.

And the formula worked for James Robinson’s men who maintained the pressure. When frustration grew from goalkeeper Robert Santilli at his defenders, the experienced custodian looked to resorting the ball long in hope of an equaliser.

On the other end Aaron Romein pulled an important save from Adrian Boglis with twenty minutes remaining that could have swung the game either way.

In the end, the Red Devils held firm to take a 0-1 win back to Ballarat

Coach James Robinson reflected on the win afterwards, adding that the win was extra important because it means the side would take a good performance into next week’s FFA Cup game against Hume City.

“Not an easy opponent but today our win showed just how difficult it is to come to this ground because Sunshine George Cross are a tough side and they came buoyant into this match,” Robinson said.

“We had to make sure we could get in to right challenges especially the second and third balls.

“It is quick decision making in certain moments of the game that make the difference and I can say I am pleased with the result because it is a turning point into the season.”

 

Match details:

Sunshine George Cross 0 defeated by Ballarat Red Devils 1 (Swinton 22’) at Chaplin Reserve, Sunshine

Sunshine George Cross: 1. Robert SANTILLI (GK), 2. Eddie CETKIN, 3. Martin MASON, 5. Christopher DIB, 11. Anthony CASSAR, 8. Slaven VRANESEVIC, 18. Dennis DASOUL, 17. Jacob ATTARD (13. Liam O’CONNELL 31’ [16. Adrian BOGLIS 70']), 10. Adrian LOGOZZO, 9. Bozidar LOJANICA (15. Amara KROMAH 55’), 19. Ayodeji OMOBOYE.

 

Unused Subs: 21. James KAPURANOVSKI, 6. Damien RASTOCIC, 12. Oner KUCUK.

Yellow Cards: Anthony CASSAR 82’

Red Cards: Nil.

Ballarat Red Devils:1. Aaron ROMEIN, 4. David KING, 15. Dominic SWINTON, 14. Daniel FIRTH, 8. Joshua ROMEIN, 35. Jake FRANCIS( 2. James DOWNEY 70’), 10. Michael TRIGGER, 23. Daniel TINKER, 22. Patrick KARRAS ((6. Liam HARDING 69’),31. Simon MURPHY (43. Declan PICKEN 84’), 28. Callum FERGUSON.

Unused subs: 40. Jason HILL, 19. Miles BAKER.

Yellow Cards: Nil.

Red Cards: Nil.