Comets closed out

By Marc McGowan
THE Casey Comets were unable to give coach Debbie Nichols a successful homecoming in their 2-1 Women’s Premier League loss to South Melbourne at Comets Stadium on Sunday.
Neither side scored in a physical first half, but the visitors scored two goals in a brief period shortly after half-time to establish a match-winning advantage.
Midfielder Alex Gummer gave the Comets some hope with a strike in the 82nd minute, but, despite dominating the end of the game, they were unable to score the equaliser.
Casey still sits in second spot, but has the bye this weekend ahead of a tough schedule that includes clashes with Heidelberg United (third), Box Hill (first) and Ashburton (fifth).
South Melbourne looked sharper at the start of the game, but the Comets gradually worked their way into the contest.
Dead ball specialist Laura Croft had two shots on goal from free kicks, with the second narrowly clearing the crossbar.
The referee, who had numerous exchanges with both players and coaches, banished South Melbourne mentor Moris Mihailidis from the arena midway through the opening half for dissent.
The match was held up for several minutes as Mihailidis begrudgingly left the pitch.
Casey’s Shuanna Murray had a good chance moments after play resumed, but her shot cannoned into South Melbourne keeper Sarah McKeown’s gloves.
The deadlock was finally broken just after half-time.
South Melbourne striker Aimee Benton capitalised on a Comets defensive error to blast her club in front before scoring a second 10 minutes later.
Benton’s scores sent her to the top of the league goalscorers’ list.
Casey sprung back to life as the game drew to a close and Gummer managed to sneak the ball past McKeown after hitting the crossbar.
Lisa Cloke, who was in sublime form, had a one-on-one with McKeown minutes later, but was unable to orchestrate the Comets’ second goal.
Nichols, back on the sidelines after a trip to England for personal reasons, was disappointed with the loss after her team had built some good momentum in recent weeks.
“I’m starting to get a bit paranoid. They played well last year while I was away as well,” she said.
“(Interim coach) Glen (Bristow) came down and I asked him what we did differently that we didn’t do last week and he said there was nothing different.
“All I can think of is that we didn’t approach the game with the right attitude and didn’t take South Melbourne as seriously as we should have after winning three in a row.”
Nichols praised Cloke and Nicola Prins, but said all of her players will have to be ready to go after the break to keep on track for a return to finals’ action.
“It’s a hard game (against Heidelberg) – there’s no doubt about that – but we need three points if we have any ambitions of playing finals’ football,” she said.
Casey meets Heidelberg at Comets Stadium on Sunday, 31 May at 1pm.