Comets fall back to earth

By Marc McGowan
CASEY Comets Soccer Club started the Women’s Premier League season in disappointing fashion after succumbing to an impressive Eltham North line-up at Comets Stadium on Sunday.
The Comets entered half-time locked at one goal apiece with the visitors, but Eltham North managed two goals to one in the second half to snatch the three points on offer.
In a high-intensity contest, it was Eltham North that found the back of the net first when Christie Tangalos sent a cracking drive from outside the box past Casey goalkeeper Emma Bracken.
It was not long before the Comets scored their opener with a bit of magic from 17-year-old up-and-comer Marcie Algeria, who weaved a path through several opponents to slot the equaliser.
The ball continued to move at a rapid rate between the defences before second-half substitute Stephanie Peluso broke the deadlock following a free kick to Eltham North.
Casey was far from done, however, and after several forays forward, former national team junior representative Sarah Fitzgerald managed to level the scores at two-all.
Within minutes, Eltham North snatched back the lead through Jessica Thomas and managed to hang on to claim a thrilling 3-2 triumph.
Comets head coach Deborah Nichols admitted the third goal hurt her team badly and recognised Eltham North’s quality first-up effort.
“I felt we worked really hard to get back to two-all then 90 seconds after that they scored again and it knocked the stuffing out of us to concede the third goal so soon,” she said.
“It was a very hard game and we knew it would be that way. We knew they were ahead in their pre-season training and had started earlier than us. They were sharp and fast.”
Following Nichols’ pre-season call for the younger brigade to step up, it was youngsters Algeria and Anna Carmichael, who replaced the unavailable Irena Taseski in defence, who stood out for the coach.
“I was very pleased with their performances. At the end of the day, everyone gave 110 per cent, but we didn’t look as sharp as them,” she said.
“We need to get a few more games under our belt. We had a good pre-season cup, but the last few weeks we’ve been really hammered with work commitments.
“We haven’t had our whole squad together in a single hit and we looked a bit like strangers out there at times.”
Casey’s reserves side also tasted defeat at the hands of Eltham North 3-0 in the curtain raiser after having only 10 players on the pitch in the first half.
The Comets return to the field in round two action on Sunday with the seniors playing Ashburton, who destroyed the Eastern Lions 7-0 in round one, at Ashburton Park at 3pm.