In action: Ballarat Red Devils’ Adrian Curtain gets control of the ball against La Trobe University.
BALLARAT Red Devils have put the onus on teams around them following another convincing victory on Saturday.
A 4-0 win over La Trobe University at Morshead Park rocketed the Haymes Red Devils to second on the Football Federation Victoria men’s state league two table.
The climb is the result of a number of scheduled games not going ahead on the weekend, with previous top three Moreland City, Fawkner Blues and Brunswick City among those not to take the pitch.
Ballarat playing manager Brian Shelley said despite having a game in hand, sides below the Reds would be under greater expectation to win catch-up fixtures.
“We’ve got points in the bag and these teams have got to go out and perform now under much more pressure,” Shelley said.
Kyran Taylor continued his good form in front of goal on Saturday, netting his second brace in as many weeks as the Reds completed a winning double over La Trobe University (4-2 victory earlier in the season). Taylor scored in the third and 90th minutes, with other goals coming from Adrian Curtain (57’) and Sean Harding (85’).
Shelley said despite holding a 1-0 lead at half-time, his team took until the second half to hit its straps.
“It was probably one of our weaker first half performances. Simon Williams made a couple of top-class saves to keep us ahead at the break,” he said.
“I wasn’t happy at half-time, and I let the boys know that, but not to play well as we can for 45 minutes and still be 1-0 up is a great positive.”
Ballarat, which is currently two points behind ladder-leaders Moreland City, travels to take on fifth-placed Keilor Park this Saturday.
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tim.oconnor@thecourier.com.au
