JAMES Robinson admitted it was hard to wipe the smile off his face in his debut with Sebastopol Vikings in Ballarat and District Soccer Association division one on Sunday.
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The former A-league player made his first appearance as a player in 18 months in any form of the game in a 6-2 win over North United.
"I loved it...thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a lot of fun. That's what it's all about."
Robinson is in his second year as coach of the Ballarat Red Devils in the National Premier Leagues Victoria.
He was originally signed as playing coach, but suffered a knee injury leading into the 2014 season.
Robinson's return as a player in the BDSA is two-fold. As well as wanting to play again, he sees it as an opportunity to develop closer ties between himself and the Reds with the greater Ballarat soccer community.
"I’m keen to get out and about in the soccer community and engage with them."
Robinson said the Red Devils had identified a need to develop closer ties.
Robinson played the full 90 minutes. He said he was pleased that his body had stood up to playing a full match after so long out.
The win gives the fourth-placed Vikings a six-point buffer over North United after nine rounds.
BDSA DETAILS
DIVISION 1
Sebastopol 6 (K. Tuany 4, J. Robson, J. Hekkema) d North United 2, Vic Park 3 d Forest Rangers 0, Castlemaine v Warrnambool (result not supplied)
Ladder: Ballarat 23 points, Vic Park 22, *Warrnambool 20, Sebastopol 19, North United 13, Forest Rangers 12, *Castlemaine 6
DIVISION 2
BALLARAT 8 (N. Lavery 3, L. O'Shea 2, B. Pym, S. Brown, T. Irvin) d Creswick 1, Sebastopol 6 d North United 1, Vic Park 2 d Forest Rangers 0, Castlemaine v Warrnambool (result not supplied)
Ladder: Vic Park 23, Ballarat 22, Sebastopol 19, *Warrnambool 18, North United 13, Forest Rangers 12, Creswick 9, *Castlemaine 9
DIVISION 3
Daylesford 5 (H. Robb 4, A. Bennani) d Creswick 0, Bacchus Marsh 4 (J Cott 3) d Horsham 2
Forest Rangers 2 (C Webster, L Roberts) drew with Vic Park 2
Ladder: Daylesford 26, Creswick 24, Bacchus Marsh 15, Ballarat 14, Forest Rangers 13, Horsham 12, Vic Park 11
WOMEN’S DIVISION 1
Vic Park 2 d North United 1 (J Dart), Forest Rangers 3 (T Benoit 2, C Chircop) d North United White 0
Ladder: Warrnambool 30, North United White 24, Forest Rangers 16, North United Black 10, Vic Park 9
