Casey Comets striker Lisa Cloke enjoyed another impressive night in the Women’s Premier League on Friday, but was unable to add to her season goal tally.By Marc McGowan
FOR seven minutes on Friday night, the Casey Comets looked set to achieve the unthinkable – a win over unbeaten Box Hill at the formidable Wembley Park.
Midfielder Melissa Atherton had given the Comets a 1-0 lead three minutes into the second half, capping what had been an impressive performance from the visitors.
But the advantage soon evaporated for the seventh-placed Casey side as Box Hill sharpshooter Amanda Lawless caught the Comets defenders napping in the 55th minute with a supreme finish from close range.
Ultimately, the sides had to settle for a fitting 1-1 draw as the remainder of the match returned to the tense struggle of the first half, with both clubs unable to capitalise on the few chances they produced.
Casey was forced to reshuffle its line-up early on when striker Linda Restrepo (hamstring) was forced off the park.
The injury did not harm the Comets as promising teenager Marisa Sipcic replaced Restrepo in the line-up, allowing Talia Silvestros to partner state representative Lisa Cloke up front.
Cloke shone again, creating several opportunities, and was unlucky not to add to her four goals this season.
While the forwards performed admirably, the key for Casey was the ability of midfield trio Leigh Terek, Atherton and Amanda Aldridge to match it with their Box Hill counterparts.
The result – the first time in 2008 that a visiting team has taken a point off Box Hill – kept the Comets in the race for the fifth and last finals spot in the Women’s Premier League.
That standing will receive a stern test at 1pm on Sunday when Casey faces sixth-ranked Heidelberg United, coming off a 12-0 drubbing of the lowly Eastern Lions.
Comets coach Deborah Nichols expects her players to match their display against Box Hill.
“It was a pretty good performance, but frustrating, too. I firmly believe they prepare differently against Box Hill,” she said.
“Box Hill’s midfield is much better than Ashburton’s, but we ran out of legs against them (Ashburton) and dominated for stages against one of the best teams.
“Why can’t they do that with every other side?”
Nichols has noticed a much greater unity within her squad this year.
“I said the other day to them that they’re a weaker side on paper than what they were last year, but we’re a better ‘team’,” she said.
“We are still pushing for that fifth spot and we’re competing for that with four other sides.
“While we mathematically can make it, we will keep pushing for it.”
Casey’s reserves lost 5-1 to Box Hill in the curtain raiser.
