Sport
1 May, 2026
Comets lacking fluency
SOUTHSIDE Comets showed plenty of fight but ultimately fell just short in a 2-1 loss to Mareeba United Bulls at Borzi Park on Saturday night, with a late push highlighting the visitors’ growing potential.
The Comets entered the match looking to build momentum but were forced onto the back foot early as the Bulls controlled possession and dictated the tempo.
That pressure told in the 21st minute when Mareeba opened the scoring, leaving the Comets chasing the game for much of the first half.
Despite the early setback, Southside remained composed and worked to stay within reach, tightening defensively and looking for opportunities to counter.
However, clear chances proved limited as the Bulls maintained their intensity through the opening stages of the second half.
The match appeared to slip further away in the 83rd minute when a defensive miscue resulted in an own goal, putting the Comets 2-0 down and staring at defeat.
But in a decisive tactical shift, coach Dylan Soares moved central defender Nic Del Manso into an attacking role, a move that quickly injected life into the contest.
Within minutes, Del Manso made his presence felt, rising strongly from a corner to head home and reduce the deficit. His physicality and aerial strength troubled the Bulls defence, as the Comets surged forward in search of an equaliser.
The closing stages saw Southside throw everything at the hosts, with Del Manso continuing to pose a threat and the team showing renewed belief.
Despite their late momentum, the Comets were unable to find a second goal, with Mareeba holding firm under pressure.
Coach Dylan Soares said the side’s inconsistency in recent weeks had impacted their fluency but remained confident in the group’s development.
“Del Manso is a physical presence and we do push him forward when we are searching for goals,” Soares said.
“As an outfit we are a little hot and cold due to the inconsistency in playing time. We haven’t had a continuous run of games with the weather the way it is and that hasn’t allowed us to have that fluency in our play. This is our first back-to-back game.”
“We lost quite a few players in the off season and this young squad is just finding their rhythm. It will take some time, but we’ll get there.”
The Comets travel to the Cassowary Coast next Sunday to take on the Innisfail Cutters. The match kicks off at 5pm.
