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DAYLESFORD consolidated top spot on the Ballarat District Soccer Association ladder with a 2-1 win over Ballarat White on Sunday.
Daylesford was missing Harry Robb, John Villiers and Jimi Plumbob because of illness, but Zoran Drogriski returned to make a big impact in midfield.
Ivan Carter slotted back in defence.
Daylesford set up the win with a dominant first half, scoring two goals.
Tim Fisher was brilliant in midfield, making many loose tackles and great passes.
It was Mehdi who scored the first goal, after a powering header from some defensive errors and good luck. A second goal was added by Shanka Hackenburger from the penalty spot after Jeremy Fullerton did some classy leg work in the box, only to be fouled.
The second half belonged to Ballarat, which scored a goal, and pushed for an equaliser all the way to the end.
Ballarat could have been 3-0 down if not for some good saves from the keeper, and some bad misses from Mehdi and friends.
Dragi Koleski and Jarrod Proser were best on ground, closely followed by the in-form Jeremy Fullerton and the overlapping runs from Jeff Browncombe.
Fullerton and Browncombe have been most improved this season, with Fullerton scoring crucial goals and providing assists in nearly every game.
The addition of Danny Kinear has added some much needed pace and skill to the full-backs.
Next weekend will be the biggest match of the season, against second-placed Maryborough, which sits only one game behind Daylesford.
Victory for Daylesford will give the club a six-point lead with only three games remaining.
In the under 13s, the Daylesford and Hepburn United team lost 2-1 to North Ballarat. The Saints worked hard in the midfield to control the play in the first half.
Some excellent through balls from Santino nearly sent Jonas, Govi and Taryn through but controlled defensive play saw Ballarat hold back the Saints lively attackers.
After some sustained pressure from Daylesford, a strong Saints attack led to confusion in the North Ballarat defence and Santino managed to bundle the ball over the line.
DHUSC held the lead until half-time, but in the second half North Ballarat took over.
Inish, Sean, Lola and Marlon did extremely well to keep out the forceful North Ballarat team for the first few minutes of the second half.
The first North Ballarat goal came after unrelenting pressure on the midfield. A quick break and some smart balls sent it through to goal.
The Saints reacted strongly and some excellent passing and individual work from Jonas saw him score a goal, which was unfortunately disallowed for a very unlucky handball.
Holly, Manny, Luka and Otto worked tirelessly in the midfield to try and wrest control back from the improving Ballarat side, but the Ballarat team eventually wore down the Saints with a late goal.
The under-11 DHUSC team was defeated 7-0 by the strong Ballarat Blue squad.