Casey Comets lifted themselves out of the Women’s Premier League bottom two after a comfortable 3-0 victory over Caulfield United at Victory Park on the final day of the regular season.
First half goals from Antonia Niteros, Katrina Avila and Mykaylin Rosenquist secured the points in a dominating display against the struggling Cobras side.
The visitors were in control for a vast majority of the contest after a ruthless first half, although the hosts couldn’t really test the Comets’ defence in the second term, with Ian Williamson’s side looking fairly content with the scoreline.
In drizzly conditions, Caulfield struggled against a determined Casey side, who dominated possession and territory right from the kick-off.
Laura Croft provided some early drive and had a couple of shots on target that tested Cassandra Mayston early.
And it was only a matter time before the Comets made this early dominance count when Antonia Niteros, got onto to the end of a lovely Chelsie Selleck ball and finished calmly.
Niteros was a constant threat leading the Comets attack, holding up the ball and connecting with Rosenquist and Sharnoah Hurley.
Comets’ attacking gameplan worked, creating numerous chances, rarely allowing the Cobras two strikers any hint of the ball.
Their second came in fortunate circumstances; Mayston’s clearance went straight into Comets’ midifielder Avila and trickled into the net.
Despite the Comets’ dominance, the Cobras custodian was comfortable with the shots she had to deal with until that heartbreaking moment.
The hosts best chance of the half came late, after a Casey player failed to clear from a corner, the ball pinballed around, unluckily not falling onto the foot of a Caulfield player.
Casey sealed the points in first half stoppage time, after Hurley’s pinpoint corner kick met the head of the charging Rosenquist, who smashed her header into the net.
The hosts were able to pinch some of the possession in the second half and started to test the Comets’ defence.
Apart from defender Raelynn Mikell missing a point blank header from a corner, the Comets didn’t create as many chances as they did in the first.
It was the same for the Cobras; their best moment came on 74 minutes with a nudge towards goal from a set-piece cleared off the line by substitute Sheridan Dudley.
In the end, the result was deserved for the Comets, who were finally able to notch up their second victory of the season.
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Caulfield United Cobras 0 defeated by Casey Comets 3 (Niteros 19’, Avila 33’, Rosenquist 45’) at Victory Park [HT: 0-3]
Caulfield United Cobras: 22. Cassandra Mayston, 23. Victoria Argyopolous, 24. Hollie McDonald (31. Mandi Giannopoulos 75’), 34. Stephanie Wood, 33. Louise McMullen, 12. Bree Gurr, 14. Dani Jackson, 18. Grace Buchan (5. Vanessa Karazisis 75’), 16. Liena Malliaras, 8. Anita Les, 15. Pulli Gardiyawasam (17. Zoe Haratzis 43’)
Unused Substitute(s): 27. Smilja Rakic
Yellow Card(s): Nil
Red Card(s): Nil
Casey Comets: 1. Alysse Brusamarello (GK), 16. Katrina Avilla, 6. Raelynn Mikell, 24. Rachel Binning, 14. Anouk Meereboer, 9. Chelsie Selleck, 8. Shaunna Murray, 11. Sharnoah Hurley (5. Melissa Kirby 70’), 3. Laura Croft,, 2. Antonia Niteros, 15. Mykaylin Rosenquist (7. Sheridan Dudley 46’)
Unused Substitute(s): 10. Amy Radford, 13. Amani Fazlic
Yellow Card(s): Avila 61′
Red Card(s): Nil