Comets on song

By Gavin Staindl
A RESOLUTE Casey Comets bounced back from last week’s loss to record a character-building 4-2 win over Box Hill at Comets Stadium on Sunday.
After a shut-out loss to Heidelberg last week, and a slow start on Sunday, the local Victorian Premier League side rallied in the second half to secure one of the side’s best wins for the season.
Coach Ian Williamson praised the efforts of his girls who scored two late goals with only 10 players on field to snatch the vital three points.
After going 2-0 up early in the second half, the Comets gave up two goals in 10 minutes as Casey goalkeeper Alex Lynch was handed a red-card for a foul on a Box Hill striker.
The highly contentious decision, that gifted Box Hill with a penalty and the equaliser, even had the visiting coaches and supporters scratching their heads as to what Lynch did to deserve the sending-off.
Lynch, who had been solid in net and played a part in setting up the second goal, was replaced as keeper by midfielder Aleisha Piper who kept her cool despite some testing balls into the box.
Down to 10 players, the Comets showed no signs of backing down.
A “cracking” strike by Taryn Brown from a free kick outside the box returned the lead to the Comets, and when Lana Bonnet chipped the keeper from 25 metres out the Comets Stadium went into a frenzy.
“It was simply outstanding,” Williamson said of the win.
“I was hard on the girls last week, but they were fantastic (on Sunday).
“When they (Box Hill) scored the second goal, I knew we would have the resolve to run over them and knew we would have the quicker legs.
“Natalie Grubic had their midfielders running all day and new recruit Aimee Benton was very good.
“She was very relaxed and composed … (and) was very professional playing her first game for us against her old club.
After criticising Nicola Prins last week, Williamson said the veteran striker bounced back after a defining performance on the weekend.
Casey hosts South Melbourne this week in a potential “six-point” match.
If the Comets can walk away with the full three points they will move five points clear of South Melbourne in fourth position.