On a pretty poor afternoon of football for Melbourne Victory Women’s – as they fell 1-0 to Canberra United on Saturday – one shining light was the cool performance from back-up keeper Cassie Dimovski, whose strong showing ensured a smooth transition from the injured Bri Davey.
The young shot-stopper took time away from the game during the Victorian State League season, with fears that she may be lacking match sharpness.
Alas those fears were put to bed as the short-statured Dimovski leaped and dived both ways to keep her side in the match, all while being thrown into a grandstand atmosphere as she played in front of a 14,000 strong crowd at Etihad Stadium.
She did take a little while to feel her way into the game, as she was first beaten by a delightful curling effort from Ashleigh Sykes, which was cleared off the line by Lauren Barnes.
On the stroke of half-time, she was caught blind-sided as she coughed up possession inside her own area, but made up for the error by pouncing low to collect the loose ball.
That same half also saw her hold a couple of powerful drives from distance without any trouble, just to help her grow accustomed to the game.
But a goal threatened to undo her good work, not that it was any fault of her own, in fact quite the contrary.
The Victory custodian made a low save to keep out a fantastic near post effort from Michelle Heyman but unfortunately for her, the rebound fell straight to Sykes for the solitary goal.
She came to life in the second half, where she made two incredible saves in succession, the first coming from that girl Heyman yet again.
The Matildas striker received the ball centrally before firing a low placed effort, which was brilliantly read off the foot by Dimovski who gathered to her left.
Moments later Stephanie Ochs fired an audacious strike from 30 yards which was desperately clawed away from the far stick. The ball was even saved on the half-volley, as it took a bounce just in front of the keeper – saves that are often harder than they look to make.
All in all, the former South Melbourne keeper didn’t disgrace herself and came out of the Canberra match as one of few standout players.
She gets the chance to do it all over again tonight against Adelaide United.