Lot of work ahead of City after big losses for both senior teams

The men's team went down 6-1 to a strong Western United side which boasted a number of A-League listed players, while the women were no match for the powerful Spring Hills going down 9-0.

Ballarat City men's coach Adam Grinholz said it was one of those games that nothing went right for the home team, but it was a lesson for his young side that good sides will punish mistakes.

"They had a a brilliant move to score the first goal, then they scored within a minute and then another soon after from the kick-off. We just made some bad errors, costly mistakes and they took advantage of that," he said.

"We did well to get back that goal before half-time, so then it was a matter of how we would respond after half time, but it didn't happen."

Grinholz said despite the form line of just one draw from the first few matches of the season, it wasn't a time to put it back on the players, who he said continued to give their all every week.

"The boys have confidence in their effort and determination," he said. "But we are a young, inexperienced side. Sometimes you come up against a very experienced team.

"In terms of application, attitude, effort it was outstanding start to finish."

It was a similar story for the understrength Women's team which had no answer to one of the premiership favourites.

But it could have been a lot worse, with the Ballarat team down 8-0 at half time, keeping their well-credentialed opponents to just one second half goal, but the damage was more than done.

Capping off a bad week for most of the Ballarat's teams was Ballarat SC which went down 2-1 to Lara in Men's State League 5 West.

But as is the nature of sport, there is no rest for any of the sides this weekend.

Ballarat City men are away to Whittlesea Ranges, while the women's team return home against another expected power team in Essendon. Ballarat SC is also at home this weekend against Maidstone United.