BAGGIO Yousif has again sunk the Ballarat Red Devils.
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The Moreland Zebras’ striker, who scored a hat-trick in the round one victory against the Reds back in February, netted a late winner as his side took all three points from Saturday’s rematch.
Yousif broke the stalemate in the 89th minute to help the Zebras record a 1-0 victory over Ballarat at the CB Smith Reserve in Fawkner.
The result ended the Reds’ seven-match unbeaten run and sees the team slip to sixth place on the National Premier Leagues Victoria 2 west table.
Moreland, meanwhile, is second after its eighth win of the 2016 campaign.
Ballarat manager James Robinson said it was a long ball from the home side that led to the goal, and while disappointed, believed his charges had chances to find the back of the net throughout the afternoon.
“It’s always disheartening when you get done in the latter stages of the game, but we had 89 minutes previously. We created enough opportunities,” Robinson, who praised the efforts of goal-keeper Aaron Romein for helping keep his side in the contest, said.
“We created enough to do something, but we just didn’t on the day.”
Robinson said the Reds were missing a host of key players – Michael Trigger, Dom Swinton, Simon Murphy, Liam Harding and Daniel Firth were all sidelined – but didn’t want that to be an excuse.
As a result of the outs, Isaac Ellis was given his starting debut and played about 60 minutes before being substituted.
Robinson said Ellis’ attitude and work rate had been fantastic and that he fully deserved his chance.
“He’s worked his socks off since he has come in,” Robinson said.
“He’s absorbed everything, because it’s a big step up for him coming from Sebastopol (Vikings).”
Ballarat can now start planning for next Sunday’s battle against Kingston City.
That game is the first of two-straight fixtures on home soil for the Reds, which host Springvale White Eagles the following weekend.
The Moreland Zebras game marked the half-way point of the season for the Ballarat boys, which have an overall record of seven wins, two draws and five defeats.