Dogged defence downed

Defender Vanessa Hellar helped the Casey Comets pick up a crucial away point against Preston at B.T. Connor Reserve on Sunday. 21603Picture: Stewart Chambers

By Marc McGowan
DEFENSIVE lapses cost the Casey Comets in the opening two games of the Women’s Premier League season last week.
The Comets lost 2-0 to competition favourite Ashburton last Wednesday night before backing up to earn a 1-1 draw against Preston on Sunday.
Christine Pfeiffer headed home Ashburton’s first goal after a Sarah Walsh free kick at Darebin International Sports Centre.
And Pfeiffer was at it again early in the second half.
She ran clear and blasted a shot at Comets goalkeeper Emma Bracken, who managed to save the first attempt but not the second.
Casey gradually worked its way into the contest through Lisa Cloke’s and Jeni Black’s strong play and peppered Ashburton’s goal in the final 20 minutes.
But the best the Comets could muster was a shot that hit the crossbar as they lost the season-opener.
Neither side scored in the first half of Casey’s clash with Preston at B.T. Connor Reserve on Sunday.
Jacquelene Ghirxi broke the deadlock in the 65th minute after a Comets turnover and the Lions looked set to inflict another defeat on the visitors.
But some brilliance from recruit Nicola Prins produced the equaliser.
Prins took a corner and managed to expertly curl the ball past Preston’s goalkeeper in the 81st minute to secure a point for Casey.
Prins, Black and newcomer Laura Croft were the Comets’ best players against the Lions.
Shuanna Murray suffered a right knee injury in the Preston match and may sit out this Sunday’s contest against Bendigo at Comets Stadium.
Casey coach Debbie Nichols lamented her side’s defensive errors, but was satisfied with its start.
“There are promising signs and one of them was that they were disappointed,” she said.
“But I try not to put too much pressure on at this stage because we’ve had two results that the girls thought they could get more out of. It’s a long season.
“Overall to get a point away from home is pretty good and we were better than the scoreline indicated on Wednesday night.
“But you’ve got to take your chances.”
Nichols will be absent from the Comets’ next three fixtures due to a family bereavement and is returning home to the United Kingdom.
Bracken will take the reins while Nichols is away, but the latter is hoping Casey posts its first win of the year against Bendigo on Sunday.
“When you play them at Bendigo, they’re very difficult and we haven’t won there for quite a few years,” she said.
“But we tend to be quite successful at home against them, so it depends on how they travel.”
Kick-off is 1pm.