By JARROD POTTER
BERWICK CITY women could not find the go-ahead goal against South Yarra, conceding a 1-2 loss away on Sunday.
A rough-and-tumble match went the home side’s way as South Yarra slotted a pair of goals to push past City and move up to fourth on the ladder.
Berwick City coach Tony Rafferty praised the attack of his best midfielder Natalie Holmes – who slotted the only City goal of the afternoon
“Very hard-fought match, could’ve gone either way, but we went down 1-2,” Rafferty said.
“Very physical game but good football from both teams.
“Best without a doubt was Natalie Holmes – our attacking midfielder – scored the goal and was fantastic.
“Everyone else put in some great efforts, but Ellie Priest put in some great crosses across the goals only for our forwards to miss out on the strike.”
Rafferty’s charges now take up sixth place on the 10-team State League 1 ladder and face Caulfield United Cobras at home on Sunday. The Berwick City coach isn’t taking the visiting challenge lightly.
“The challenge is there without a doubt and it’s certainly not an easy league, nor should it be, we’ve only had one season in it and placed fifth, so our goal this season is the top four,” Rafferty said.
“It’s going to be tough but that’s the way we like it.”
In Women’s Premier League action, Casey Comets salvaged a 2-2 draw with the FFV Under 17 Girls. Laura Croft’s injury time penalty – her second goal for the afternoon – helped snare the Comets a point and help maintain its eighth spot on the ladder. The Comets host Bundoora on Friday night from 8.30pm.
NPL1
Dandenong City fell to the might of Avondale Heights with the visitors unable to stop Avondale’s early onslaught in the 1-2 loss. Avondale Heights opened the accounts early through Jason Principato and Zoran Pajic to take a two-goal lead into the main break. Dandenong City kept its head up to run in a consolation goal in the 83rd minute from Andres Jerez.
Dandenong City host Whittlesea Ranges on Saturday.
STATE LEAGUES
Casey Comets fell to Morwell Pegasus 1-2 to slip to eighth on the FFV State League 1 South East ladder while in State League 2, Berwick City was quashed at home by Warragul United 1-2 despite a goal from captain Orlando Mejias, while Doveton SC split the points with North Caulfield following a 2-2 draw as the Matt connection – Matt Williams and Matt Evans – both slotted goals.
