BALLARAT Red Devil’s Paul Harvey could not have had a bigger debut.
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Harvey’s maiden hit-out with the McDonalds Reds was against none other than A-League heavyweight Melbourne City on Wednesday.
The 29-year-old forward officially landed at Ballarat earlier that day, after impressing for Bulleen Lions in the National Premier Leagues Victoria 1 season.
Harvey’s arrival marks the fourth inclusion to the Red Devils senior list since the mid-season transfer window opened last week.
Red Devils player manager James Robinson was pleased to land an experienced player to the club’s youthful list.
“We need quality options up there (forward) because we’ve got good forwards, but they’re young and they’re inexperienced,” Robinson said.
“He scored the goals for Bulleen (seven) and he’s going to create a bit of havoc and give us some more firepower up top.”
Harvey wasn’t the only new attraction for the Red Devils on Wednesday, with the club unveiling the official Asian Cup trophy in the new facility during the match.
The Red Devils will look to record their first win in six weeks in round 15 NPLV match against the struggling Goulburn Valley Suns.
Last time the clubs met in round two, it was Ballarat by a single goal in one of the matches of the season.
However, two vastly different outfits will line up at Morshead Park on Saturday afternoon.
Both clubs are fighting to escape the relegation zone and will be desperate for the win.
Green Gully recruit Brian Vanega was brilliant for the Suns last round, while Simon Colosimo could make his debut after signing from Dempo SC in India.
Deng Aguek produced a stellar debut performance for the Red Devils last week, finding the back of the net twice in the opening stanza.
Robinson says his players will be better for the hit out against City during the week.
“The players only played 45 minutes but the intensity was the equivalent of about 70-75 minutes,” he said.
“Match fitness and training fitness are two completely different things.
“It’s another big game –we’ve had some good players come into the team and lift the standard.”
Captain Charlie King missed the friendly after pulling up sore from last week’s match, while Daniel Tinker remains out of selection thoughts with an ongoing injury problem.
EXPECTED LINE-UP: J Franken, D Firth, D O’Donnell, S Harding, D King, C King, L Harding, P Harvey, S Thomson, S Murphy, D Aguek; James Robinson (coach), subs; A Romein, T Romein, M Baker, N Salvatore, J De Voogel.