Comets get that sinking feeling

By Gavin Staindl
IF CASEY Comets’ coach Debbie Nichols was pulling her hair out after last week’s loss, then she must be all but bald after her girls blew a 2-0 lead over league leaders Ashburton at Ashburton Park to go down 2-3.
Goals from Alexandra Gummer and Nicola Prins put the Comets up 2-0 and the lead could have been extended when the Comets bundled another chance moments before half time.
Instead, the ball was turned over and Ashburton scored their first goal to go into halftime with an edge in momentum.
“We had two glorious chances to go 3-0 up but we switched off for a second and they scored and went into the break with their heads up,” Nichols said.
That momentum quickly turned to gold as Ashburton piled on two more goals in the first 15 minutes after half time to steal the lead and the eventual win from the visitors.
“It is really hard to maintain positive composure after the match. I didn’t say a lot (post-game) but you could see on their faces that the loss stung.”
“They were hurt and that is a bonus,” Nichols said.
Nichols is hoping the pain of the loss will kick-start Casey’s season again after losing three games in a row.
“Their reaction will only be a positive if they can reproduce the first half for the whole game next week,” Nichols said.
With another two crucial away games against Bendigo and Box Hill over the next two weeks both Nichols and the Comets recognise the importance of regaining momentum.
“The next two weeks will dictate the rest of our season.”