The Ballarat Red Devils were unable to overcome a determined North Geelong Warriors outfit in their final match of the season on Saturday, with Warriors snatching a critical 2-1 win.
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Coming off the back of a bizarre yet impressive 8-1 triumph over Whittlesea last week, the Reds had all the momentum heading into their final hit-out of the year.
Despite missing Daniel Firth and Liam Harding the hosts were able to control the tempo early in the contest at Morshead Park.
Dejan Mitrovic had his opportunity early in the piece thanks to a creative ball from Michael Trigger, but was unable to capitalise.
With the Devils unable to convert their chances the efficient Warriors were able to hit the lead, with Nicholas Jurcic beating Aaron Romein in the 27th minute.
While Mitrovic continued to threaten the North Geelong defence in the back end of the first half, the home side was unable to find an answer as the Warriors took a single-goal lead into the break.
The Reds were able to bounce back 10 minutes into the second term with Trigger thumping the ball into the back of the net despite the Warriors holding momentum in the early stages of the half.
However it took the persistent Warriors just seven minutes to regain the lead, with Juso Julardzija finding the goals after coming into the game just four minutes earlier.
From there the Red Devils through everything at their fancied opponents in search of a late equaliser. Trigger again found himself with the ball in dangerous spaces, while Charlie King was unable to beat the keeper after a scramble in the box.
Paul George was the last of the Devils to try his hand, narrowly missing the goals in the 81st minute as the North Geelong defence stood up to the barrage.
The loss consigns the Red Devils to sixth on the National Premier Leagues Two West ladder at the end of what has been an inconsistent season for the boys from Ballarat.
While an impressive run of form during April and May which included victories over Melbourne City and the Eastern Lions saw the Reds establish themselves as a promotion prospect, a string of losses and draws against the competition’s top sides made a top two finish all-but impossible.
Coach James Robinson will however take pride from the development of young players such at Mitrovic, Brandon Lauton, Jake Francis and Michael Mullins, who have all risen to the challenge of senior soccer.
Mitrovic and Lauton both managed to cement their place in the starting 11 thanks to a string of impressive performances.
