Our Central Coast Mariners Liberty A-League team will travel to Tasmania this weekend, with North Hobart Oval playing host. Western United will be our opponent, with just two points separating us and them leading into this fixture.
📈 Form:
Heading into this game, our Central Coast Mariners Liberty A-League side have been on a strong run of form, currently sitting fifth in the league. We have lost just once over the past five matches, a narrow defeat to Western Sydney, while we have picked up 10 points.
Our most recent outing saw us come away with a strong 2-0 win over our F3 rivals Newcastle, securing us the coveted F3 Derby Trophy. Wurigumula got us underway with a goal in the fourth minute, before a 72nd minute strike from Paige Hayward secured the three points.
Western United have also had an impressive run of results, losing one of their past five matches. They have secured 10 of a possible 15 points in that time frame, pushing them up to second on the Liberty A-League ladder.
Western made a statement last weekend, defeating league leaders Melbourne City 3-1 at AAMI Park. A double to Hannah Keane and a goal to Kahli Johnson secured the result and the three points.
📋 Team News:
The Central Coast Mariners have made just one change to our 20-player squad, with former Matilda Casey Dumont returning to the team after missing last weekend’s clash with Newcastle due to injury. She has replaced Chloe Carmichael in the squad.
We also welcomed back Kyah Simon last weekend, with the Matilda getting some valuable minutes off the bench against the Jets. Our number 17 will be looking to continue her return with even more minutes this weekend.
Both Tyla Jay Vlajnic and Catherine Zimmerman have been named in Western United’s extended squad, with the duo looking to return to action this weekend.
Vlajnic missed their most recent game against the league leaders due to an adductor strain, however, has returned to training this week in the hunt for a return.
👀 Players to watch:
Western United’s front duo of Chloe Logarzo and Hannah Keane will prove a tough test for our defence on Saturday, with the pair scoring nine goals between them this season.
Keane was the match winner against City last game out, scoring a double. These were her first goals since early December, with the American regaining some of the scoring touch that saw her dominate the league last season.
Wurigumula has been an ever consistent present for the Mariners this season, scoring her fifth goal of the campaign last weekend. All five of those strikes have come in away matches, with the forward looking to add to that tally on the weekend.
The Chinese international has been linking up well with the inform midfield duo of Bianca Galic and Isabel Gomez, while also providing chances for other attackers including Rola Badawiya and Peta Trimis.
