One goal the difference again for Comets

By Marc McGowan
THE Casey Comets suffered their fourth one-goal loss of the season, this time against Ashburton 1-0 at Comets Stadium on Sunday.
The Comets were afflicted by tight outcomes last season as well, including a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to Heidelberg United in the semi-finals.
Sunday’s score matched the result when the teams played round two, when Ashburton also emerged victorious.
Casey knew it would be a tough encounter, with its opponent boasting the Women’s Premier League’s top two goalscorers in Annabelle Gibney and Seyma Erenli, who have scored 24 times between them this season.
The Comets have only managed 24 of their own in 2007.
Gibney almost had early success, but her shot was just kept out by a desperate lunge from Casey coach Deborah Nichols, who replaced Emma Bracken in the goals.
It was not long until Ashburton was in front, however, after a perfect corner by Sarah Walsh set up Danielle Jackson, who headed the ball past Nichols.
While Ashburton swept the ball through the midfield with much fervour, the Comets struggled to link up as the visitors clogged up the field perfectly on defence.
Teenage Casey striker Lisa Cloke’s afternoon was indicative of Ashburton’s tactics, and she was forced to compete with multiple opponents every time she touched the ball.
The half-time score was only 1-0, but the gap was much more in general play as Ashburton threatened to do more damage.
Erenli had the first chance of the second half, but Nichols made a brilliant save overhead to thwart another Ashburton attack.
Comet Belinda Powell was felled soon after just outside the box and dead ball specialist Leigh Terek stepped up for the free kick, but her chip just cleared the bar.
The critical moment of the second 45-minute block came courtesy of an error by referee Alf Noutso, which incensed Ashburton’s fiery coach Chris Michail.
Noutso incorrectly called an Ashburton foray off-side, despite Casey having two defenders at the post, which Michail believed should have produced his team’s second goal.
The Comets had one final chance to level the scores when Jeni Black sent a long ball to Terek, who set up Marcie Algeria, but she was unable to capitalise.
Nichols conceded that Ashburton was the better side on the day, but praised the performances of defenders Black, Irena Taseski and Vanessa Hellar.
“We didn’t win the midfield battle, but our back three were brilliant,” she said.
“We spoke at the start of game about not giving away a soft goal and what’d we do? We did exactly that.”
Nichols also bemoaned the late scratching of star forward Alex Gummer on the eve of the match.
“She still has a bit of a knee injury, and being two weeks from nationals, the state coach didn’t really want her to play,” Nichols said.
“We really needed her to play because that sort of player could be the difference between grabbing points and we really notice when she’s not playing with us.
“When Lisa and Marcie play together (up front) they are the same type of player and we haven’t got that big presence, but we can’t do anything else.”
The Casey reserves drew 1-1 against Ashburton and have now recorded points in three of their past four matches.
The Comets head to Olympic Village in Heidelberg Heights to take on the undefeated Heidelberg United on Sunday, with the reserves on first at 11am before the seniors kick off at 1pm.