Ballarat City FC gets an opportunity to breath new life into its season at Morshead Park on Saturday.
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City FC makes its first FFA Cup appearance in a round four tie against fellow NPL2 West Vic combination Werribee City.
While Ballarat has been doing it tough in the regular season and sits eighth in the 10-team competition, Werribee is also struggling and is ninth without a win in the opening six rounds.
While cup ties can be an opportunity for experimentation, Ballarat coach Danny Gnjidic has no intention of going away from the game plan he is working on with his young squad.
Although frustrated that City FC has just the one win and four points, Gnjidic remains positive.
“It’s difficult. We’re in a result-driven environment.
“We’re on the right track. We’re producing some good stuff, making progress, but we’re not getting the rewards.”
Ballarat has been playing a confident brand of soccer, with some encouraging passages of play against NPL2 East Vic leader Dandenong City in its last outing – taking the game right up to the powerhouse.
We’re on the right track. We’re producing some good stuff, making progress, but we’re not getting the rewards.
- coach Danny Gnjidic
However, it was unable to turn some promising moments into goals and went away with a 2-0 loss.
Gnjidic said their work rate was strong, but they needed to begin turning chances into goals.
“We’re not far away.”
He believes self confidence had a lot to do with the failure to convert opportunities.
“It’s about taking risks.”
Gnjidic is hoping that with no points at stake that the nature of a cup tie frees up his players to take some risks and get on the board after two scoreless games.
MEANWHILE; Gnjidic is not ruling out Ballarat City FC adding to its squad during the mid-season transfer window May.
He said Ballarat was open to the thought, but it would have to be the right person on and off the pitch, and at the right price. “It has to be the right fit.”
He indicated the club had no intention of adding a player for the sake of it.
Ballarat is playing without an import and the transfer period will offer an opportunity to add experience.
BALLARAT City FC’s next regular season fixture will be away to Moreland City on Sunday, March 26.
Moreland City is sixth in the west, having dropped just the one game, and had two wins and three draws.
FFA CUP ROUND 4: Ballarat City FC v Werribee City at Morshead Park, Saturday, 6pm
