BALLARAT Red Devils produced yet another victory on Saturday, extending their unbeaten streak to an incredible 11 matches.
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As promotion back to the National Premier League Victoria competition edges closer and closer, the Reds outclassed Box Hill United 2-1 in a testing away game.
Coach James Robinson labelled the win as one of the most pleasing in his time at the club, not for the scoreline but moreso given the situation his side faced.
Illness tore through the club this week, with a number of players taking to the field feeling well below 100 per cent and Charlie King withdrawing on the morning of the game.
“We were up against it, we had so many boys that were sick and struggling but we pushed through,” he said.
“Little things were going against us but we didn’t use them as excuses.
“I couldn’t be more pleased with the boys.”
The McDonalds Reds controlled the match from the outset, with Dom Swinton finding the back of the net twice within the opening 15 minutes.
Ballarat led 2-0, barely giving Box Hill a sniff in the opening 45 minutes.
Sixteen-year-old debutant goalkeeper Ryan Schorback wasn’t forced into many saves but still looked more than comfortable.
A quality side that was sitting in fourth position on the NPLV1 east table, Box Hill came out fighting in the second half as expected.
They cut the margin in half on 61 minutes after Schorback failed to properly clear a ball and then continued to press hard in search of an equaliser. However, the Reds proved too hard to break and managed to hold on for the all-important victory.
They remain in second spot on the table, six points behind ladder leaders Bulleen Lions, who they play next week and one point ahead of third-placed Moreland Zebras, who they play in the final round. Bulleen clinched a 1-0 victory, which will most likely see them win the championship, with a goal in the 91st minute. First place finishes in automatic promotion while second place has to win two playoff matches to rise the ranks.