By JARROD POTTER
BERWICK City’s women’s team failed to hold off Ballarat SC despite controlling the match from whistle to whistle.
Ballarat snuck back in for a 1-1 draw after one attacking drive managed to beat the otherwise flawlessly defended Berwick City goal.
Berwick City peppered the Ballarat goals in contrast – with a dozen or more power-packed strikes not hitting the target as chances were squandered.
“We played very good football and it was unfortunate we didn’t get the ball in the back of the net and it’s the old story,” Berwick City coach Tony Rafferty said.
“You can be a good football team but if you don’t score it doesn’t matter.”
Rafferty highlighted the efforts of Erin Hudson in the goals, the defensive work from central defender Kelsey Minton and the attacking runs of both Shirley Anthony, who scored Berwick City’s solitary goal, and captain Kate Wilson.
Berwick City next host Doncaster Rovers on Sunday afternoon from 3pm.
WOMEN’S PREMIER LEAGUE
Casey Comets also had to content with splitting the points, in their case against Sandringham SC in a 2-2 stalemate. The Comets found first half goals through Angela Durston-Ryan and Tayla Vlaeminck approaching the main break, but couldn’t find the go-ahead goal in the second half to remain deadlocked at the final whistle.
Casey now host Heidelberg United on Friday night from 8.30pm.
NPL1
Dandenong City’s up-and-down roller-coaster season continued with a 1-3 loss to Kingston City at home on Saturday. John Caroll seized the only goal for Dandenong City as Kingston ran over the top to take the points and push the home side down to ninth. Dandenong City has its first major NPL roadtrip on the weekend when it clashes with FC Bendigo on Saturday night.
STATE LEAGUES
Casey Comets were edged out 1-2 against Noble Park in South East State League 1 action.
Berwick City claimed a valuable 2-0 win over Mooroolbark to jump the home side on the ladder. Dion Pavlic and his wavy mullet beguiled and captivated the Mooroolbark defence as he slotted a goal and Nicholas Lasanc finished the job to push City to sixth on the ladder. Berwick City host NPL powerhouse South Melbourne on Wednesday night for the Dockerty Cup and hosts Frankston Pines on Saturday.
Doveton copped its first loss of the season at the hands of Frankston Pines in a 0-3 defeat. The Doves retain second spot on the State League 2 South East ladder and also have a double header, hosting Heatherton on Saturday and head to Dandenong Thunder on Wednesday night for its Dockerty Cup clash.
