The Mariners PS4 NPL 2 Women’s teams hosted Bankstown City FC Lions at Pluim Park and the first grade fixture ended in an entertaining 2-2 draw.
Central Coast Mariners Academy Women 2 (Candice Phelan 35’, Georgia Davis 66’) Bankstown City Lions Women 2 (Joanna Martino 55’, 59’)
After a bye in round one the Mariners kicked off their campaign against Bankstown and Candice Phelan looked likely to score her side’s first goal of the season early thanks to a precision ball from captain, Oriana Keane which lodged an attack into the Lion’s back third. Although Lions’ kepper, Lana Ferreira kept the Mariners’ attack at bay.
The Mariners’ perseverance paid off and Phelan was not to be denied when she fired a 35th minute rocket to open the scoring.
Just before the break the Mariners went close to doubling their advantage when Georgia Davis hit a free-kick that thumped off the crossbar. The Mariners went into the shed with a 1-0 lead at the break.
An experienced Bankstown side came flying out of the boxes in the second half, determined to get on the scoresheet.
A brace in quick succession to the Lions star player Joanna Martino in the 55th and 59th minute had the away side in front and shifted the momentum of the game.
Head Coach Mark Yule went to his bench in the second half and the injection of Katie Oliveira, Abby Bales, Kiah Carmody and Kate Duffy saw the Mariners women regain ascendancy and pitch dominance.
Pure brilliance levelled the scores for the Mariners in the 66th minute when a training ground move paid divedends and was finished perfectly by Georgia Davis from an acute angle, a contender for goal of the year!
Bankstown were not done yet and refused to lie down against a tiring Mariners team who were forced to draw on their class and experience to hold off a fast finishing and determined Lions side.
Mariners coach Mark Yule summed up the day astutely.
”We had a great first half today – it really was close to perfect, and I was very pleased with the chances we created,” Yule said.
“Our challenge is to maintain that for 90 minutes. We responded really well when behind and I thought that showed a lot of character. Plenty of positives to take out of today,” Yule said.
The Mariners Women are back at home this Sunday 30th April 2017 hosting Sutherland Shire at Pluim Park. Under 13ss kick off at 8.30am & First grade kick off at 3pm. Entry is FREE!
Central Coast Mariners Women: 1.Jess Schulz (GK), 7.Gabrielle Blanch (12 Katie Oliveira), 4.Georgia Davis, 3.Christine Granero, (Abby Bales), 8.Oriana Keane (c) (6 Kate Duffy), 6.Jade Mcatamney, 9.Candice Phelan (10 Kiah Carmody), 15.Madelyn Ryan, 14.Elizabeth Shorter, 2.Jess Terry, 5.Letisha Waddell
Unused Subs: 20.Maddie Bradbury
Coach: Mark Yule
Bankstown City FC Lion: Tania Baban, 4.Liana Babic, 1.Lana Ferreira, 51.Yasemin Genc, 8.Lyndsay Kohlet, 9.Sunny Lucian, 11.Joanna Martino, 10/Maniso Michael, 12.Madeline Morgan, 17.Caitlin Murphy, 21.Samantha Muscat, 13.Vida Opoku-Agyemang, 18.Doris Osman, 41.Sihaem Saade, 15.Allegra Vickas, 16.Anika Zatsahler
Referee: Emmi Phillips
Earlier results
Under 13s WON: 1-0
Under 15s DREW: 2-2
Under 17s LOST 3-6
Reserves LOST 2-13
