Ballarat City may have lost its National Premier two west season opener 4-0 to Melbourne Victory’s youth side, but director of football James Robinson said there was encouraging signs.
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Victory led 1-0 at half-time before goals at the 49, 71 and 91-minute marks gave them a comfortable win.
Despite the result, Robinson said there was enough in the performance to suggest there was reason to be excited.
“The end result is a certain factor in what we’re looking for. We go into every game wanting to win, we have high expectations and high standards but we know where we are in our journey,” Robinson said.
“We all come away with a heavy heart but the knowledge that every single player on the pitch, squad member and person at the club is going to improve.
“Everyone’s pushing and challenging each other.”
City had six players under 19 make their debut for the senior team, highlighting its youthful flare.
Robinson said his side played with plenty of dare, but were ultimately undone by a quality Victory side.
“We have a core group of seniors players and we have a lot of opportunities for our youth to take the best foot forward and I think they did...I thought they were very brave and I’m excited to see where the future takes us.
“We’ll look to keep building those foundations.”
On a positive note, City came away from the clash with a clean bill of health while injury-plagued star Daniel Tinker played 60 minutes in a heartening display after surgery in January saw him miss a chunk of pre-season.
City will play its first home game of the season next week, hosting Whittlesea Ranges on Saturday.
The end result is a certain factor in what we’re looking for...but we know where we are in our journey.
- Director of football James Robinson
It poses as a great opportunity to register its first victory, Whittlesea also on the wrong end of its round one result, going down 6-0 to St Albans Saints.
Not only is it a chance for City to get a win on the board, but Robinson said it was the ideal opportunity to take the first step in making Morshead Park a “fortress”.
“Everyone’s putting themselves in the position to give me a thought process. They’re putting their hand up, that’s what you want as a coach, you’ve got a few decisions to make.
“We want to galvanise the community.
“When people say you want to make your home a fortress where people hate to come, that’s what we’re going to create this year.”
Next weekend’s match will kickoff at 4pm with junior a reserve matches to take place throughout the day.
Robinson encouraged all fans to get along to create an imposing atmosphere.