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Mariners’ unbeaten start continues with point against Premiers

Central Coast Mariners made it three matches unbeaten at the start of the Ninja A-League season with a 2-2 draw against Melbourne City.

Emily Husband’s side made it back to back away draws in Victoria, ending Melbourne City’s 100% start to the season, Michael Matricciani’s team had previously won five from five, scoring eight goals in their first two Ninja A-League wins after cruising through their AFC Women’s Club Championship group with three wins from three in October.

A thrilling start to the game saw two goals in the opening five minutes, setting the tone for what was an entertaining, end-to-end battle.

Alexia Apostolakis’ rocket opened the scoring just two minutes in but Annalise Rasmussen’s first goal of the season cancelled it out before the five minute mark.

City retook the lead just after the half hour mark, Lourdes Bosch’s low free-kick evading everyone and finding the bottom corner.

Izzy Gomez netted our equaliser in the 76th minute, slotting home after Jade Pennock’s effort was parried, another fantastic moment for her this week after she was called-up to the Matildas for the first time on Friday.

Central Coast Mariners duo earn Matildas call-ups

Line-Up

Husband made two changes to the starting eleven that took a point from Western United last Friday.

Academy product Rasmussen started for the first time this season and would immediately repay the Head Coach’s faith with a goal inside five minutes. Brianne Riley also returned to the team, Leia Puxty and Peta Trimis dropping to the bench.

Starting XI: Langman (GK), Riley, Irwin, Nash, Martin, Gomez, Galic (C), Pennock, Ray, Rasmussen, Nunn.

Substitutions:
72′ ON: Trimis OFF: Rasmussen
82′ ON: McMahon OFF: Riley
92′ ON: Quilligan, Puxty OFF: Pennock, Nunn

Unused Subs: Carmichael (GK)

First Half

The Mariners were stunned early on as Apostolakis found the top corner with a rocket of a shot after just two minutes, but responded brilliantly through Rasmussen to level before the five minute mark.

The 19-year-old got her reward for her hard work, pressing high with Gomez which forced a mistake at the back from City and allowed her the simplest of finishes to open her account for the season.

The Mariners continued to create chances in an end-to-end first half, Gomez was denied on 16 minutes as Malena Mieres was quick off her line.

Jade Pennock then had two chances in quick succession before the half hour mark, first scuffing wide from Brooke Nunn’s cutback before forcing Mieres into a decent save with a left footed strike moments later.

It was the hosts that retook the lead, however, on 33 minutes. Bosch, City’s star player on the day, delivered a low free-kick into the box which beat everybody and found the bottom corner of Sarah Langman’s goal.

The Mariners pushed for an equaliser before half time, Gomez was denied by a fantastic last-ditch challenge from City’s veteran skipper Rebekah Stott in added time, almost getting in after a lovely touch from Rasmussen.

Second half

The wind seemed to play a big part in the first half and would be in the Mariners favour in the second half as Husband’s team started brightly. Our all-action midfielder Gomez once again at the heart of everything the Mariners did going forward.

She found the back of the net on 53 minutes but the goal was disallowed for offside, before attempting a cheeky lob on 62 minutes which dropped just over the crossbar with Mieres scrambling.

There was a huge chance for Nunn to open her Mariners account on 70 minutes. After some lovely build-up play down the left from the Mariners, Rasmussen laid the ball off inside the box but Nunn blazed over.

Bianca Galic had the Mariners next effort, shooting wide from range before finally the equaliser came from Gomez on the 76th minute, a deserved goal for her on the day and a equaliser that the Mariners’ second-half pressure more than warranted.

Pennock’s effort from range was too hot for Mieres to handle as she palmed it straight into the path of Gomez who found the back of the net despite the best efforts of the City defenders on the line. With two goals in the first three games, our number six has already beaten her tally from the whole of last season.

Pennock had the best chance for a winner on 84 minutes, but she couldn’t keep her effort down from Nunn’s cutback. At the other end, a scramble in the box after a City corner caused a brief moment of concern for the Mariners, but Leticia McKenna couldn’t connect with her effort.

The end-to-end nature of the game continued into added time as both sides looked for a winner, but a draw in the end would be a fair result, with the stats almost completely even at full time.

Husband will be content with another solid point on the road against tough opposition. The Mariners remain unbeaten from a tricky run of fixtures at the start of the season, including back-to-back draws in away trips in Victoria, heading into another big game at Unite Round next weekend.

⏭ Next up

The Mariners face a third consecutive match against Victorian opposition as we take on Melbourne Victory at Unite Round on Saturday, 2.15 kick-off at Leichhardt Oval.

Tickets and all Unite Round information can be found at aleagues.com.au/unite-round.

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