Casey casts soccer hoodoo

By Gavin Staindl
CASEY Comets extended their winning streak at Wembley Park after upsetting previously unbeaten Box Hill 2-1 in Women’s Premier League action on Sunday.
The Comets have had the wood over Box Hill at its home ground since the competition began in 2005.
And, in identical circumstances to last year’s maiden loss, the round-nine clash saw Box Hill lose its first game of the season after again crashing at home to Casey by a goal.
In seasons gone by, every time Casey and four time minor premier Box Hill have met at Wembley Park the visitors have either walked away with a win or a draw.
“It is an attitude thing,” Casey coach Debbie Nichols said.
“We went in with a lot of confidence but it plays on the mind of the opposition a bit,” she said.
Although the uncanny record at Wembley Park suggested otherwise, Nichols thought that this year would be the year the hoodoo is broken.
“I was hoping for something and would have been happy with a point because this was a big test for us – but to take three points is a huge bonus,” she said.
Four minutes into the match the opening goal was scored after swift ball movement opened up a lane way for Nicola Prins to strike from 20 metres on the run.
Eight minutes later Box Hill responded with their own goal but an unusual scoring play by Caroline McEvoy handed the lead back to the visitors.
McEvoy, who by her own admission is not as fast as she once was, received a pass in the midfield and with possession of the ball ran at the defending four.
Whether the defensive line was expecting her to pass it off or slow down is unsure, but all four defenders peeled away from McEvoy who was stunned that she had broken through the line so easily.
“I was just saying to myself, ‘stay calm, stay calm’,” she said.
She did stay calm and managed to slide the ball past the goalkeeper to give Casey the lead and eventual win.
For the remainder of the match both sides went end-to-end, but neither side could reproduce the early goal scoring of the first half.
Post-game, Nichols was stunned that they finished with three points.
“They had four or five Victory players, so it is a real testament to the girls’ attitude that they went in with such confidence,” she said.
“We were under pressure from their set pieces, but we managed to hold on to the lead for 70 minutes.”
While most teams will enjoy a break this weekend, the Comets will play a catch-up game against South Melbourne after their match last month was postponed.