United rewarded with 1-0 win over Comets
A victorious Warragul United finished their round nine fixture with a deserved three points after toppling Casey Comets 1-0 at Baxter Park in Men's State League One action on the weekend.
In a tight and enthralling fixture, that once again went down to the wire, United stood tall and were able to score a solitary goal through Rory Wagner with literally minutes remaining to clinch the contest and only their second win of the year.
After blowing out Mazenod by 10 goals in round one, Warragul have had a tough stretch since and, although highly competitive in all matches, just haven't found that twist of luck or patch of regular form, with an ever-changing line up due to injury, that is required to beat teams in this top calibre league.
Warragul lined up with a similar side to that of the week prior with only three changes.
Riley Hamilton did not recover from a strained hamstring last week, so youngster Jobie Heusmann was called upon to take his left full back role.
Another casualty from last round's loss to Springvale was Matt Gauci. He was replaced by the welcomed return of Nick Modaffari who had been out with a reoccurring groin niggle but was declared fit to play.
Sammy Gatpan started in place of Oscar Sheehan who will probably be out for a couple more weeks after injuring his shoulder with a confirmed AC joint separation.
Casey came into the contest having capitalised on some good performances with impressive wins in the early rounds.
United would have to be at their very best to get a result as they started to slip into dangerous territory in the lower half of the league ladder.
A loss to the Comets, as the season edges closer to the hallway mark, would have been one of great concern with the awful topic of relegation perhaps on the lips of some.
Warragul were the better of the two sides come half-time, with Wagner squandering a one-on-one with the keeper that would have put United deservedly up at the break.
A couple of changes were made by coach Stephen Maselli as the two teams ran out for the second term.
Thomas Ahmadzai was clutching at his troublesome hammy again after 45 minutes and was pulled from the field in a precautionary manoeuvre.
Maselli called upon Liam Antonelli to take his place. Antonelli has been in great form in the reserves after joining the club this year and has adapted well to senior football.
Cooper Farr had a tough first half after being solid in recent weeks, and was replaced by veteran Danny Dunne for some experience and staunch defending.
The next three quarters of an hour were rather scrappy, with no side really taking the ascendancy.
Yet as the half ticked away, Rory Wagner was presented with a similar opportunity to score as he had earlier in the match.
With only the keeper to beat again, this time Wagner steadied himself and made no mistake. His shot was partially parried by the Casey gloveman but had enough on it to roll agonisingly into the back of the net to send the home side into rapture and a goal up with only minutes remaining.
Shortly after, Nick Modaffari committed a foul on the edge of the penalty area, giving the Comets a late sniff in a dangerous scoring position.
The ensuing nerve-wracking free kick was dealt with by United, however, and the danger was cleared.
Shortly after the referee blew for fulltime and the points were secured with 1-0 the final result.
Best on went to Mitch Jones in a mature and energetic performance, with Nick Modaffari coming close also with a gutsy defensive display. Sammy Gatpan, Rory Wagner and Baley Row all deserving of honourable mentions.
The unsung heroes in the reserve team also notched up an impressive 3-0 win, giving them five wins from nine and fourth spot on the ladder. Daniel Edey being best on.
Robbie Stephen unfortunately broke his fibula in the same match. It was his return to the game following a shoulder reconstruction.
Rotten luck for the big Scotsman. He had surgery yesterday and the club and its members wish him a speedy recovery.
Next week will see United travel to Bentleigh to tame the Cobras in a very winnable fixture.