By Nick Creely
FFV SOCCER
REVIEW – ROUND 10
STATE LEAGUE 1 – SOUTH EAST
The Casey Comets’ inconsistent season of State League football continued on Friday night at home, going down 1-2 to Caulfield United Cobras.
At home on a nippy winter evening, the two similarly placed sides were neck and neck until late in the game, before Dejan Radojicic found the back of the net for his seventh goal of the season.
But the Cobras rallied, first kicking a goal in the 77th minute before the match winning strike by Mario Hofmann got the visitors on the right end of the scoreboard.
After ten games, the Comets sit with three wins, three draws and four losses, and will need to turn this around in the coming weeks.
In some other crucial matches, South Springvale got a rare 2-1 win over Warragul United at Warner Reserve, while Mornington SC overcame Eltham Redbacks 1-0 at Dallas Brooks Park.
STATE LEAGUE 2 – SOUTH EAST
Doveton has surged five points clear at the top of the table, with the dominant Doves once again tasting victory against Frankston Pines on Saturday, 4-0.
The Doves paced themselves perfectly, scoring two first half goals through Delfin Mosibe Esara and Josh Frame, before kicking a further two goals to completely flatten the opposition.
Now with 24 goals in ten games, the Doves are the best attacking side in the competition, while they have only conceded six goals, making them clearly the most dominant team in all facets of the game.
Second placed Berwick City also enjoyed a gritty 1-2 win over Mooroolbark SC at Esther Park, with a late Jarod Blackbourn goal the difference.
City were on the board almost immediately, with skipper Orlando Mejias striking the ball to the back of the net before the crowd could even take their seats.
But the Barkers fought back to score in the 81st minute, putting the challenge firmly on the visitors, who duly found the winner with Blackbourn in the dying moments.
STATE LEAGUE 5 – SOUTH
Bunyip District scored a terrific 4-2 victory over Knox United on Saturday, with the Strikers starting to build some momentum.
The home side were far too strong for the United from start to finish despite the visitors scoring both of their goals in a matter of minutes in the second half.
Pakenham United, meanwhile, fought back hard in the second half but were overcome by Old Mentonians under Friday night lights at IYU Recreation Reserve, 2-3.
United hit the scoreboard in the third minute, but were outclassed to be sitting 1-2 in the 80th minute, before a Simon Johnstone-Robertson strike levelled the scores at 2-2.
The Old Mentonians then found a goal minutes later to seal a win in what was an entertaining contest.
In other matches, Drouin lost 2-4 to Somerville Eagles, Rowville Eagles defeated Casey Panthers 4-2, Lyndale United were too strong for Endeavour Hills Fire 2-4, and Chelsea FC beat Aspendale SC 5-1.
White Star Dandenong had the bye.
