Report : Cranbourne Comets 2 - 0 Doncaster Rovers
[ www.cranbournecomets.com ]
The Comets went six points clear of their closest rivals for the play off spot on Saturday at the Comets Stadium in Vodafone State League Division Two South East Football league competition.

Doncaster came to the Stadium looking for a win to get them back in contention after a defeat away to cellar dwellers Morwell Pegasus last weekend.

The first 10 min was a real physical tussle as Doncaster took the game to the Comets and Doncasters’ ace import Ian Edge should have scored but his header at the back post slipped right across the face of the goal and out for a goal-kick. The Comets gradually worked themselves into the game and great opportunities that fell to their forwards were sqandered away and it was 0-0 at the half time break.

It took until the 56th minute before the Comets got the all important first goal. From a free kick wide on the right Adam Rudzki set up top goalscorer Fikret Korkaric who buried it on the volley past Doncaster goalkeeper Michael Bonifin.

Doncaster tried to get back in the game but their midfield strategy was no match for Steven Bellerini and Stefan Rudzki who fought for every ball. With 15 min to go Fikret Korkaric made it two goals for the day and twenty one for the season when after a great move from Adam Rudzki and Frankie Bove he was set up for a tap in inside the six yard box. Doncaster tried to get back into the game and only a fingertip save from Comets goalkeeper Stuart ‘Cat’ Borgonha foiled a great strike from Ian Edge. A classic save from a classic keeper who is talking of retiring at the end of the season.

As the game got to its conclusion Referee Sergio Tencevco seemed to turn a blind eye from some crude tackles from the visitors but took the time to send Doncaster midfielder Max Chiaravalle for obscene lanquage to the home spectators!!. Doncaster defender Cameron Brown was lucky to stay on the park after one over the ball tackle which left Steven Bellerini on the deck. Not a good game from the official at all.

Coach Dale White was glad of the three points but knows it should have been a more convincing scoreline. It was an important game not only to keep Doncaster out of the picture but after last weeks loss and poor performance it was vital to get back on track and not to waste all the hard work put in since last January.

The Ressies were unlucky to lose to a good young Doncaster side. The scoreline did not reflect the game. A clearly offside goal in the first half and a soft penalty with the last kick off the game was harsh but the Comets had their chances but did not convert. Best on the day were Seb Lorenzo and Captain Gareth Ellison who was pushed up front for this game.

With a break next week the Comets next game is not until the 20th August away to arch rivals Chelsea who stole points from the Comets with a last minute controversial penalty drama. So the Comets will be out for full points to secure not only second spot but hoping the league leaders Springvale Eagles might slip up with less than three games left.