They may be sitting eighth on the Sportsmart Women’s Premier League table with only one win to their name, but despite their slow start to the season, there’s a certain buzz surrounding Casey Comets.
Confidence remains high within the camp, and head coach Ian Williamson is predicting a top five finish, with the expectation that his new look side will burst out of the blocks during the second half of the season as they continue their development.
“Our second half of the year will be better than the first half because its a work in progress and you’ve got to be patient,” Williamson said.
After a less than impressive start to the season, Casey are starting to finally hit their straps, entering today’s clash against FFV U17s off the back of two impressive results; a come from behind draw against last seasons premiers Sandringham and a convincing 3-1 victory over semi-finalist Heidelberg United.
“We waited a long time but we all worked really hard to get it (first win) and we’ve been working really hard off the pitch as well so its good that its just all came together and we finally had a bit of luck and got the win,” captain Laura Croft said at full time after defeating Heidelberg.
“We talked about Sandringham being the first half and this being the second so we didn’t want to stop with just that one point this week and back it up and now we are up the table where we should be.”
One of the most pleasing aspects for Williamson is that his side no longer have a reliance upon individual squad members.
With talismans and first team regulars Brittany Dudley-Smith, Alex Gummer, Nicole Tiggs and Jaymee Dudley all moving on after last season, a small redevlopment-of-sorts is underway at Comets Stadium with fresh crop of players entering the fray.
“The situation since I’ve been at Casey Comets we’ve always been a team thats had one or two individuals that if they played well, we played well,” Williamson said.
“The situation now is that we dont have to rely on individuals, we are a team focused on being a team, focused on playing our playing our patterns and playing the way we want to play and we are getting better at it.
“We are not where we want to be yet but we are getting better at it, so I’m happy we aren’t replying upon individuals.”
New additions, Tayla Vlaeminck and former US college footballer Angela Durston-Ryan are now finding some form of their own whilst the promoted Candela Ferreyra-Bas is appearing as an imposing figure in the final third.
Croft was quick to reflect the words of her coach, with the skipper delighted that the burden hasn’t fallen on her shoulders after her team mates departure.
“We are all on an equal level which is good and not having to rely on certain players,” Croft said.
“Everyone has really chipped in, we’ve got a few girls that we’ve recruited and I think this year we work really well as a team like we have in past years but this [season] I think everything is going to come together.
“Obviously not the ideal start but I think we are just going up and up and its hard for us to plateau [from here].”
Both Williamson and Croft additionally eluded that the club are are set to sign some exceptional talent over the coming weeks but did not wish to disclose any further information, Croft instead sending a statement to the rest of the competition.
“Watch out for the Casey Comets, thats one thing to say,” the captain said.
“We’re definitely final contenders and once we are in there watch out.”