BALLARAT Red Devils will carry no added pressure into tonight’s clash against National Premier Leagues Victoria benchmark side South Melbourne, according to player manager James Robinson.
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The two undefeated sides will square off in round five of the Football Federation Victoria-sanctioned season at South Melbourne’s Lakeside Stadium home at 8.30pm.
Top-of-the-table South Melbourne are in the same boat as the Red Devils, having started the season with nothing but away games and managing to win all of them.
However South Melbourne’s 5-0 record puts Ballarat’s 2-0 tally to shame and the host side will enter the match as clear favourite.
Robinson is wary of his opposition’s penchant for scoring heavily and fast, citing a need for his players to maintain their structures at all stages throughout the match.
“South have set the benchmark so far the season – they’ve won every match and scored 14 goals in the process,” Robinson said.
“What I’ve told the boys is to be disciplined and to concentrate at all times.
“They’re a team to be wary of, they’re a team with a lot of talent and a lot of history and we’ll be on our toes and sticking to our structures.”
The match will be the first time in four weeks that the two teams play, with Ballarat to host South Melbourne in its inaugural home match on May 3.
Robinson said he has a full squad of 20 to pick from, and while there may not be any changes for tonight’s game, the numbers will be needed in the coming weeks.
“We’ve got a winning side with our current 11 but there’s plenty of options for us and we’ll need them all with three games over the next nine days,” he said.
“I doubt anybody will put their hand up for a rest because what’s coming up is going to be the biggest test for us.”