A new-look Central Coast Mariners Women’s team ran out 2-0 winners in an exhibition match against Newcastle Jets on Sunday afternoon.
This was the first opportunity to see Emily Husband’s side in action ahead of the 2024/25 Ninja A-League season and it was a very promising showing, with new signing Brooke Nunn and Young Matilda Peta Trimis on target either side of half time at Cessnock Sports Ground.
It could have been more for the Mariners who completely dominated in the second half, but failed to extend the two-goal margin.
The Mariners have two further friendlies, against Wellington Phoenix and Western Sydney Wanderers, before the opening game of the season, at home to reigning Champions Sydney FC, the first instalment of a huge double header at Our Paradise on November 2nd.
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Line-Up
Emily Husband gave a host of new faces their first minutes in yellow and navy after a busy off-season of ins and outs, with five signings announced this weekend.
You can find out more about each signing right here at ccmariners.com.au.
Starting XI: Langman (GK), Riley, Irwin, Nash, Martin, Gomez, Galic (C), Ray, Nunn, McMahon, Trimis.
Subs: Carmichael (GK), Rasmussen, Fuller, Puxty, Evans.
First Half
Newcastle looked to control possession early on but the Mariners were able to gain control of the game after that and broke the deadlock on the 10 minute mark, forcing a mistake at the back from the Jets goalkeeper before Nunn calmly lofted the ball over her and into the back of the net from 30 yards.
At the other end, Sarah Langman was forced into her one save of note on the day, getting down well to her right to save a volley from a corner, whilst Annabel Martin made a brave block from a powerful Jets free-kick moments later.
With the Jets insistent on playing out from the back, the Mariners’ high pressure caught them out on a number of occasions. Before half time Trimis and Izzy Gomez threatened with shots from range but the Mariners couldn’t extend their lead before the break.
Second half
The Mariners completely controlled the second half and could have scored more whilst Langman’s only involvement in the second half was a routine catch from a cross.
Early chances in the second half saw Brianne Riley’s header from a corner saved, and Shay Evans’ attempted lob drift just wide of the post.
Bianca Galic then saw a shot from inside the box blocked, before the Mariners finally got the second goal that their early second half dominance deserved.
It came via a rare headed goal for Peta Trimis, which was expertly taken after a brilliant cross from Taylor Ray. The 18-year-old timed her header to perfection and looped it back over the Newcastle goalkeeper.
Nunn found the back of the net again on 85 minutes but was denied her second goal by the offside flag, before dragging a shot wide moments later.
New scholarship signing Tiana Fuller also had a good opportunity late on after being played in by Galic, but fired her effort over the bar, the final chance of the game.
🗣 Emily Husband: “It’s a good start”
Our Head Coach refused to get carried away after just one pre-season victory, insisting the team has ‘so much more to give’ despite ‘some really good moments’.
“I don’t think the scoreline tells the full story, there was times in the first half where we could and should have been better but we had a much more positive second half and played how I know we can do.” Husband said.
“It was a really good hit out against a Jets team that also played well to be fair to them.
“There was some really good highlights and moments, it’s about us extending those moments. We can possess the ball better and for longer at times. We want to go forward but we don’t always have to go forward.
The girls have still got so much more to give but today is a good start.
“We changed a couple of things in the second half which was pre-determined anyway, but it’s good to see where we look comfortable and where we need to work on but some of the chances we created in the second half were good and that’s what we’ve got to capitalise on.
“We’re really excited to continue to build up to that first round against Sydney FC, we’ve got friendlies against Wellington and Western Sydney Wanderers. In both of those games we’ve got to continue to be brave not just on the ball but off the ball in terms of how we defend, not just getting stuck on one job, a lot of us have to do multiple jobs in and out of possession and the girls have got to get used to that a bit more.” Husband explained.
