Comets cowed by lucky last

By Gavin Staindl
STATISTICALLY, the match-up between Women Premier League clubs Casey Comets and Doncaster Rovers was billed as a dead rubber, but the Rovers’ 3-2 win on Friday night was nothing short of a cliff-hanger.
When the Comets, sitting a game clear in first place, scored in the third minute it appeared the last-placed Rovers were destined for their seventh straight loss.
But after 90 minutes of up-and-down soccer, the Comets trudged from Ander-son Park as victims of the season’s greatest upset.
The shock loss has banished Casey from the top of the Premier League ladder and puts them in danger of falling further.
Five minutes after Natalie Grubic slipped in behind the defence to tap in the game’s opener, Doncaster responded with a goal.
Doncaster continually beat the Casey defence for pace, forcing Alex Lynch to make consecutive saves.
Frustration among the players was evident, as could be seen by Aimee Benton who wasn’t afraid to throw her weight around and was yellow carded as a result.
A half-time baking by coach Ian Williamson that could have been heard by motorists on Eastlink, did little to spark a lacklustre Casey.
Within 10 minutes of returning to the pitch, Casey had conceded again, this time through a corner that was deflected past the near post.
With a 2-1 lead, Doncaster retreated into its own half, allowing Casey to regain rhythm.
At one stage it looked like Casey would not find an equaliser.
That was until American import Jessica Curl launched a left-foot strike from beyond 20 metres that sailed over the outstretched fingers of the opposing keeper.
Many expected the Comets to run away with the match, and they nearly did.
Alex Gummer had the chance to return Casey to the lead but failed to connect on a six-yard volley that had the keeper scrambling to get back into position.
Apart from the missed opportunity, Gummer, who was returning from a five-month injury, was a shining light in what was a dark night that only got worse for the visitors.
Galvanised by the equaliser, Rovers’ Emma Johnson was determined to press and with 10 minutes left she found herself loose in the 18-yard box and managed to squeeze a shot past Lynch to seal the win.
At the sound of the final whistle, the home team erupted like they had won a final – and deservedly so. They had knocked off Casey.
The usually vocal Williamson left straight after the match but he did chat to his girls on Monday night.
“We have just got to get back to doing what we have been doing … pressuring,” Williamson said.
“It hasn’t been a good week for anyone.
“We have Bundoora this week and we’ll bounce back, don’t worry about that.”