Encouraging signs in United’s draw
United were back to their best with a full squad and a bench brimming with undeniable quality.
The visitors, donning crisp white away strips were well on top in the first half, pressing the backline and forcing turnovers. Warragul created solid opportunities to score and were deserved of the lead after Henri Scott pocked home a neat finish when he latched onto a Nathan Lugton through ball early in the second term.
Talented player Baley Row made his senior debut for the club after he was declared fit to play following a nasty head injury earlier in the year. This guy has amazing feet and is a welcomed addition to a squad that has had a torrid run with injury.
Baley, who played well, was paired with skipper Nathan Lugton in the centre of the park with Matt Maselli at the point position. Riley Dastey, Matt Gauci, Mitch Jones and Sammy Gatpan started in defence with the reliable Liam Andersen between the sticks, leaving a zippy forward line of Bryson Tanti, Henri Scott and Oscar Sheehan to round out the starting 11.
Veteran Thomas Ahmadzai, who is arguably the club’s best ever player, returned from a hamstring tear and joined Xavier Nardone and Rory Wagner on the bench who had both also overcome injury. A quality list in a contest where every player was called upon.
A sloppy equaliser from the home side against the run of play rocked United, in what was their only blemish, as Casey had a patch where they started to bite back and had it not been for some heroics from keeper Liam Andersen, they may well have gone ahead.
But Warragul quickly got hold of the game again and pressed for the vital winner in a spirited spell. It nearly came when Ahmadzai was introduced and his strike rattled the woodwork, Oscar Sheehan had a penalty claim turned down after being clipped in the box and when Xavier Nardone was sent bursting forward with an abundance of time to thread it past the keeper. Too much time as it turned out. I would’ve put my house on this kid icing the game for United, such is his class, but his shot fell agonisingly wide of the post.
The game ended one apiece.
Two points lost rather than one gained. United clearly the better side. Some excellent performances and really encouraging signs. Sheehan, Lugton, Gatpan and Jones being standouts.
With a quality senior player roster back in full swing there is strong feeling within the club that results will turn our way again. The boys should be very proud of their display. Final score Casey Comets 1 - 1 Warragul United.