THE SEASON isn’t over for the Ballarat Lady Devils, with the club preparing to fight for its spot in women’s state league one this Sunday.
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Ballarat will face state league two heavyweight Springvale in a Football Federation Victoria relegation battle.
Springvale overcame Eltham for the right to play the Lady Devils in a thriller last Friday.
The club won via a penalty shootout after finishing regular time at 3-3, and playing out extra time to a 1-1 scoreline.
Lady Devils coach Rick Romein, who was present for the match, said his side would have a fitness advantage over this weekend’s opponent.
“There’s definitely a fitness issue (with Springvale) there,” Romein said.
“But I don’t want to rely on that – our natural game will be to go out there and score.
“Springvale is very physical and they like to intimidate, but our girls will be used to that.”
The Lady Devils were caught off-guard by their precarious end-of-season position.
Ballarat’s final game of the home and away rounds saw it etch out a 1-1 draw against Brighton and finish eighth on the ladder, leaving club officials thinking it had done enough to hold its place.
“We haven’t been in this situation before,” Romein said. “We have a great chance to keep our spot, but only if the girls play to their potential.”
The match will take place at Ringwood at 3pm.