FC Bulleen Lions coach Bob McGuinness will be hoping his side can improve upon last weekend’s performance as they line up against Casey Comets tonight at Comets Stadium.
Despite returning to the top of the Sportsmart Women’s Premier League table with a 4-0 victory over Asburton on Monday night, McGuiness’ side should expect a far tougher contest against a physical Casey outfit.
McGuinness described Monday nights performance as “strange game,” with Bulleen failing to find their usual rhythm and fluency.
“I don’t think we really got to grips with the game and I thought in the first half their pressure was quite good,” McGuinness said.
“I thought we gave the ball away far too much in the first half and just flowed into the second half.
“We created a lot of opportunities, again we failed to capitalise on them and we just didn’t get enough people into the box tonight.”
Taking their opportunities could prove to be the difference tonight as Brittany Dudley-Smith reminded us all of her ability in front of goal, bagging a hat-trick on her return to Ian Williamson’s side two weeks ago.
With the game expected to be won and lost in the final third, McGuiness will be hoping his attacking quartet (Olivia Edwards, Lia Privitelli, Emily Coppock and Eleni Fakos) can deliver in front of goal.
Bulleen’s defence though boasts an impressive record to date, conceding only 14 goals, the second least in the competition.
Structure is a concern for McGuinness as he revealed on Monday night, something which his side must maintain against resilient Casey Comets who have the potential to impact on the counter.
“I think we struggled purely and simply because we didn’t play to our structure,” he said.
“In fairness to them, they came out and they pressured us, we allowed that to happen instead of just playing past them which we would normally do.
“I thought one of our strengths is keeping the ball and I thought tonight we just gave it away far too much and fortunately they didn’t hurt us with it and another team on their day might just of hurt us.”
Kick off is scheduled at 8.30PM, Friday night at Comets Stadium.