Southern Stars’ Alan Kearney was
SOUTHERN Stars are again counting their lucky ones after snatching a draw from the clutches of Casey at Comets Stadium last Saturday.
Mark Newsome scored in the 96th minute to even the ledger at 2-2 and steal what appeared to be a victory for the home side.
After twice trailing in the Division Two game, the last minute equaliser kept the Stars’ 18-game unbeaten streak alive.
With the wind at their back for the final half, the Stars dominated possession but the Comets scored a breakaway goal against the run of play that sparked life back into the home side.
With time running out, substitution Noel Fox knew he needed to produce something from his tricks bag to get around Casey’s seemingly impenetrable defence.
So with his back towards the goal, Fox chipped the ball over a Comets defender, spun to retrieve it and half-volleyed the ball past an out-stretched defender.
With scores locked at 1-1 both coaches were unsure how to approach the final few minutes.
“You thought to yourself, what do you do now because you had one eye on just getting a point but another eye on nicking it,” Stars coach Dean Hennessy said.
In the 93rd minute, Casey appeared to have clinched the result with a header that sailed into the top of the net but the end-to-end game took another turn when Newsome capitalised on a blunder between the Casey goalkeeper and defender and tapped in an unclaimed ball around heavy traffic in the box.
The already tense match reached boiling point by this stage and the referee had to pause the game while match-day stewards attempted to resolve minor scuffles that had broken out in the stands.
“The crowd erupted (after the goal) and it added to the tension … one or two words were said but I just tried to not influence it all.
“It all got sorted out and everyone was able to go on,” Hennessy said.
The Stars once again showed their stubborn determination in injury time making it the sixth game they have scored in injury time or just before injury time to salvage a draw or a win.
“Our guys just don’t want to lose at any price … they keep battling and it is definitely a strong mental thing they have,” he said.
Dandenong City travelled to Doncaster to play under lights last Friday night and after an even first half the home team took the honours 2-0.
Heatherton striker Mirzet Skenderovic’s goal proved the winner in Heatherton’s 1-0 win over Frankston Pines at Monterey Reserve.
The Springvale White Eagles returned to the winners list after a month of draws and losses with a 3-1 win over Langwarrin at Lawton Park Reserve.
South Springvale had a 2-1 win over Springvale City at Ross Reserve while Noble Park had a 4-1 win over North Caulfield at Parkfield Reserve in Division Three.
– Gavin Staindl
