Comets show real potential
SOUTHSIDE Comets know who they are and what they’re capable of ahead of a FNQ Premier League in which the Edmonton club is expected to be a major improver.
Injuries and major changes to the roster hampered the Comets last year as they were left to pick up the wooden spoon, but the short-term pain could pay off this season.
The club blooded plenty of young players throughout that campaign and while the results didn’t show on the scoreboard it was clear on the field that they had improved.
A new year is a new opportunity and in several pre-season games Southside have shown they have a team which should challenge the best.
Glimpses of their best were sighted in their final hitout on Saturday night. Southside hosted Mareeba United in the friendly, which was organised shortly after the Chairman’s Cup pre-season tournament was cancelled due to ground conditions and player safety concerns on Friday, but it was the Bulls who had all the running in the first half.
They kept possession for the majority of the half and created plenty of opportunities to score as the young squad sought to impress coach Angelo Tatti in the Premier League team’s last hitout before this week’s FFA Cup games.
The game ended as a 0-0 draw, a result neither side would be particularly happy with as they sought some early season momentum.
Southside goalkeeper Billy Holiday produced several quality saves as Mareeba repeatedly attacked the Comets, though no goals would come.
Southside’s Chris Collins said there was plenty of room for the team to improve.
“Mareeba controlled that first 35 to 40 minutes,” he said.
“We can play a lot better than that. I told (the Southside players that) Mareeba has about seven or eight young players who wanted to prove something to their coach.
“They’ve got enthusiasm and they can play.
“Billy was excellent.” Southside’s FFA Cup clash with Marlin Coast at Walker Road Sporting Precinct has been moved to Friday night.
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