Caulfield United Cobras have snuck their second win of the WPL season at Casey’s expense, triumphing 1-0 to keep the Comets winless after 11 rounds.
Amy Kane’s first half goal made the difference, though the hosts were left heartbroken after dictating large periods of play for no reward, hitting the woodwork on a number of occasions in the process.
New American Casey recruit Raelynn Mikell showed her pedigree early, slamming the ball into the back of the net only to be called back for offside.
At the other end, Dani Jackson had a good sight on goal after being played through by Amy Kane, but her left foot effort was easily held by Alyse Brusamarello.
Casey looked dangerous going forward, and when Laura Croft found Shauna Murray on the break, it took a last ditch clearance from Caulfield near the byline to send the ball out for a corner and away from danger.
Unfortunately for the visitors, defending set pieces has often been an achilles heel this season, and Mikell was left unmarked in the box to meet the ball, with her header going over the bar.
Click here for a full photo gallery, courtesy of The Man in the Stands
Minutes later when Katrina Avila delivered another dangerous corner into the box, Harriet Cordner had the goal at her mercy from a metre out, but in trying to blast the ball into the net she hit it over the bar.
The Cobras were again in trouble when Shelby Swiney had the ball picked off her in midfield, with Mikell finding Antonia Niteros in attack, but Jayde Shorter held the shot comfortably.
However, all it took was a slight lack of concentration in the Comets’ defence for Caulfield to snatch the lead, as Anita Les’ ball over the top bypassed Jackson coming from an offside position to find Kane, whose right footed shot was too strong for Brusamarello to stop.
Casey kept fighting and were desperately close to an equaliser when Croft’s set piece met Rachel Binning’s head and crashed into the crossbar.
After the break it was more of the same from Casey, pressing hard for the equaliser but falling agonisingly short each time.
The 58th minute was reflective of the team’s season to date, with good interplay between Avila, Mikell and Sharnoah Hurley ending in a point blank shot by the latter that hit one post and rolled towards the other without fully crossing the line.
It followed a Avila’s cross moments earlier that was also headed just over.
The remainder of the contest saw a see-sawing affair descend into a scrap as one side was nervously holding on to try seal their second win of the season, while the other was desperate to win their first.
As a result, the hosts threw bodies forward but lacked the decisive final ball, while the visitors tried the sneak the sealer on the counter but couldn’t break through the defensive wall of Anouk Meereboer and Binning, with Brusamarello also proactive off her line in cleaning up numerous through balls.
It led to an often tense final half an hour, with tackles flying, yellow cards dished out, and pleas from both benches for more free kicks from the referee.
Holly McDonald was the game’s biggest casualty, succumbing to an injury with seven minutes to go.
It meant Steph Locandro had to come on and fill the gap in the heart of the Cobras defence at a crucial period with no time to ease herself into the game.
In the end, the Cobras were able to hold on to a crucial three points that sees the team out of the relegation zone, while Casey were left wondering just what they have to do to claim three points after an undeserving defeat.
Special thanks to Football Chaos and The Man in the Stands for their coverage of the game
***
Casey Comets 0 defeated by Caulfield United Cobras 1 (Kane 24′) at Comets Stadium [HT: 1-0]
Casey Comets: 1. Alyse Brusamarello (GK), 7. Sheridan Dudley (9. Arman Fazlic 76′), 12. Harriet Cordner, 4. Rachel Binning, 14. Anouk Meereboer, 2. Antonia Niteros (10. Amy Redford 90′), 3. Laura Croft, 8. Shauna Murray, 16. Katrina Avila, 6. Raelynn Mikell, 11. Sharnoah Hurley (5. Melissa Kirby 65′)
Unused Substitute(s): 13. Marinna Makris
Yellow Card(s): Dudley 45′, Croft 79′, Corner 90′
Red Card(s): None
Caulfield United Cobras: 1. Jayde Shorter (GK), 14. Dani Jackson, 3. Amy Kane, 16. Irena Malliaras, 12. Bree Gurr, 8. Anita Les, 35. Shelby Swiney (22. Cassie Mayston 59′), 33. Louise McMullen, 23. Victoria Argyropoulos, 24. Hollie McDonald (20. Steph Locandro 83′), 19. Ruby Bingham,
Unused Substitute(s): 34. Stephanie Wood, 4. Jamie Brown
Yellow Card(s): None
Red Card(s): None