Comets burn out in second half

Kevin Townson, from Endeavour Hills-based Dandenong City, controls the ball during his side’s clash with Diamond Valley United on Saturday. 29210 Picture: Meagan Rogers

By Stuart Teather
CASEY Comets’ State League Two South East season finally got underway on Saturday, but things didn’t go according to plan, with the side going down to the Eastern Lions 1-0 at Gardiners Creek Reserve.
The Comets missed their first game of the season after a mix-up over whether Comets Stadium was in a suitable condition to play on.
But that was forgotten on Saturday as the club took to the park for the first time against the Lions, a team coming into the game off a 3-2 win over Diamond Valley United.
The Comets got off to a promising start and, according to coach Tony Saunders, were on top early.
“We started the game well, probably the first 30 minutes we were controlling the game a bit,” he said.
“We gave away a few silly free kicks late in the half, probably got them back in the game a bit with free kicks close to goal.”
It was a different story in the second half, however, as the Comets lost focus and sloppy defence allowed the Lions to break through and score.
Saunders was at a loss to explain the collapse after the break.
“Our concentration, we were a bit flat because we were pretty upbeat about the week before, we were looking forward to the first game and it got cancelled on us,” he said.
“I’m not making that an excuse; I don’t know, to be honest, we were just flat.”
He singled out Daniel Motta as the Comets’ standout player, saying his role stopping the Lions’ key striker was instrumental.
However Saunders said it was a game his side should have won.
“When you consider we beat Faulkner two weeks before, who were State One, it was just disappointing I think, it’s one that we let slip,” he said.
It was a rough weekend all round for the local teams; Endeavour Hills-based Dandenong City went down 1-3 to Diamond Valley United and in State League Three South East, Berwick City tied 1-1 with Southern Suburbs.
In Provisional League One South East, Endeavour United endured a 3-1 loss to Warragul United, while Doveton managed a 1-1 draw with Mooroolbark.