IT was a slow start for the Ballarat Lady Devils in their first round Football Federation Victoria State Knockout Cup match against Colts on Sunday. After eight minutes the Blockbuster Lady Devils were down 2-0.
However, once the Ballarat team got into its stride, the goals came quickly, the Lady Devils progressing to the next round with a 5-2 victory.
The turnaround followed a quick reshuffle of the Ballarat team, with Holly Williamson being moved from striker to centre back.
Millie Martin, Julia Antonetti and Chelsea Bickerton all scored in the first 45 minutes; leaving the score 3-2 at half-time, before Jasmine Emselle and Leah Wright netted in the second half to put the game beyond doubt, with the final score 5-2.
While the recovery from the early 2-0 deficit bodes well for the character of the young Devils squad, some concern over the slow start will linger, and there is still someway to go before the entire squad hits optimal fitness; with round one of the FFV women’s state league one only four weeks away.
The new central midfield partnership of Miff Jennings and Millie Martin gelled quickly; and a number of the younger members of the squad took their opportunity to impress, including Amanda Kovacev and Chelsea Bickerton.
The Lady Devils will hope to have Delaney Martin back for round three of the knockout cup next weekend, against Victorian Premier League side Heidelberg. There is an injury cloud over Antonetti, however.
The Lady Devils will also take part in the Charity Shield match against BDSA opposition, Sebastopol Vikings, on Friday night at Morshead Park.
The Lady Devils also appointed their leadership group on Thursday night for the 2013 season. The leaders are Holly Williamson, Tessa Curtain, Delaney Martin, Jasmine Emselle, Millie Martin, Miff Jennings and Leah Wright.
* The Ballarat Red Devils men’s team has a third round State Knockout Cup match on Saturday at Trekardo Park against fellow state league two club Keilor Park.
Vikings FC, meanwhile, will have its round three match at St Georges Reserve against state league four club Western Eagles.
In a practice match on the weekend Vikings lost 2-1 to another state league four club, Surf Coast.
Ryan Rykers scored midway through the second half at St Georges Reserve.