Comets fire in the wet

Casey’s Dean Schembri looks for a header during the clash with Dandenong City on Saturday. 33271 Picture: Stewart Chambers

By Stuart Teather
THE Casey Comets waved goodbye to the relegation zone with another victory on Saturday, this time knocking off mid-table Dandenong City 3-0 in their State League Two South East clash at Comets Stadium.
The sides braved horrid conditions for soccer with a howling wind and heavy ground, thanks to earlier rain, making the going tough.
The Comets attacked from the outset and it was not long before star striker Kris Paterson found the back of the net, beating City’s ’keeper in a one-on-one.
Casey held its 1-0 advantage to half-time and after the break Liam Ryan finished a classy series of passes by slotting it past the ’keeper to help his side to a two-goal lead.
But it was Kris Paterson’s day and the striker saved his best until last, rifling a kick from 25 metres out, in a goal worthy of the highlight reel.
Reflecting on the game, Comets coach Tony Saunders said his charges were on top of their opponents all over the ground.
“I think all over the ground we just pressured the ball, the conditions weren’t there to play pretty football, it was more workman-like,” he said.
“From a team perspective we worked very hard. We traded enough chances in the first half to be three or maybe four up.”
The coach highlighted a number of standout players including Dean Schembri and Leigh Wilkinson in the backline, Tony Saunders and Ben Watson through the midfield and his two strikers, Paul Presti and Paterson, but singled out Marcus Brownlie for a special mention.
Casey lost Wayne Schembri to injury during the game and Brownlie dropped back to act as a sweeper, covering Schembri’s absence with class.
With the win Casey moved into ninth on the ladder, well clear of the relegation zone, and the side has another winnable clash against Port Melbourne at Comets Stadium this Saturday.
“In an eight-game spell we’ve had from round eight until now, we’ve done well, we just need to keep it going now,” Saunders said.
“It’s just an important week this week to make sure we pick up three points at home and keep climbing up the ladder, there’s no reason why we can’t do it.”
Elsewhere, Berwick City picked up a 1-0 win against Waverley at Caloola Reserve in their State League Three South East clash on Saturday.
Orlando Mejias slotted the game-winner for City, helping the side secure a one-point buffer at the top of the ladder over Southern Suburbs.
In Provisional League One South East, Doveton took the points in the local derby with Endeavour United, winning 2-0 at Waratah Reserve.