Central Coast Mariners’ unbeaten start to the Ninja A-League season continued, with a 1-1 draw against Melbourne Victory at Unite Round.
A game of two halves saw the Mariners hit the front through Annalise Rasmussen in a dominant first half, before Victory’s second half pressure told with an 84th minute equaliser.
Line-Up
Emily Husband named an unchanged side from last weekend’s draw against Melbourne City. Bianca Galic continued as captain, making her 50th A-League appearance.
Starting XI: Langman (GK), Riley, Irwin, Nash, Martin, Gomez, Galic (C), Pennock, Ray, Rasmussen, Nunn.
Substitutions:
67′ ON: Evans OFF: Rasmussen
71′ ON: Trimis OFF: Gomez
92′ ON: Puxty, Quilligan OFF: Pennock, Nunn
Unused Subs: Carmichael (GK), Quilligan
First Half
The Mariners opened the scoring just 11 minutes in, Rasmussen with a clinical finish from the edge of the box, scoring in back-to-back games for the first time in her career.
There would be chances for the Mariners to extend their lead before half time as they looked threatening both on the counter attack and when pressing Victory high up the pitch.
On 21 minutes, a counter saw Rasmussen find Brooke Nunn who played in Isabel Gomez but she fired over.
A hot day at Kogarah saw the two teams have a drinks break midway through the first half, but that wouldn’t hinder the Mariners momentum as they continued to dominate the first half.
On 35 minutes, Gomez split the Victory defence with a stunning pass, Nunn raced clear and poked the ball past Newbon but the ball trickled wide.
Rasmussen then had another chance on 40 minutes, receiving the ball in the box from Gomez but firing straight at Newbon this time.
Second half
Victory began the second half strongly but didn’t cause Sarah Langman much trouble, before a real turning point came on 72 minutes as the influential Gomez was forced off through injury having been on the receiving end of a heavy late tackle.
The Victory second half pressure told on 84 minutes as a set piece led to Kayla Morrison heading in from close range to level the scores.
Both sides had half chances late in the game but a point was a fair reflection, with the Mariners content to see out a third consecutive draw and remain unbeaten from a tough run of early season fixtures.
⏭ Next up
Following three matches away from Our Paradise, Emily Husband’s side return home next weekend to face Canberra, in the first standalone women’s home match of the season!
Tickets for all matches are on sale via Ticketek, or you can secure your seat for all remaining matches with an Official Mariners Membership!
