Ballarat City remains hopeful last Saturday’s abandoned National Premier Leagues Victoria 2 fixture will be replayed in full.
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The club has put its submission to Football Federation Victoria, which is yet to reveal what will happen to the west division clash that was called off due to thick fog.
Ballarat trailed Northcote City 3-0 when the game – played at Morshead Park – was abandoned after 60 minutes.
Ballarat coach Danny Gnjidic said NPL by-laws stated a fixture should be replayed in full if less than 80 per cent of the match had been completed.
“We put our version of events in, how it all played out and what our preference is for how it should be managed from here,” Gnjidic told The Courier.
“But ultimately they make the call and it’s at their discretion really. There are rules and regulations, but they’re underlined by the fact that the FFV can make a decision at their own discretion as well.
“We think it should be replayed in full. The rules and regulations state that unless 80 per cent of the game time is played, then the result doesn’t stand and the game should be replayed in full.”
While there is uncertainty surrounding last weekend’s match, the Ballarat boys are planning for a cross-conference clash with Eastern Lions this Saturday.
The rules and regulations state that unless 80 per cent of the game time is played, then the result doesn’t stand and the game should be replayed in full.
- Ballarat City coach Danny Gnjidic
The Lions sit ninth on the east division table after four wins from 18 games.
“The cross-conference games are a good opportunity to gain some ground on the teams in your division. If they drop points, you can really jump spots with a positive result,” Gnjidic said.
With the game against Northcote City up in the air, Ballarat has not been beaten since the round 13 loss to Dandenong Thunder. Since then it has won two and drawn two fixtures.
Gnjidic didn’t forecast any major changes to the Ballarat side for this weekend’s encounter, but said mid-season recruit Courtney Austin could be in line to make his first start for the club.
Ballarat, which currently sits sixth on the west division ladder, has another road trip following the battle against the Lions.
The team will travel to tackle Moreland Zebras in round 20 before returning home for a game against Murray United on July 1.
This Saturday’s match is scheduled to begin at 3pm at Gardiners Creek Reserve in Burwood.