The Central Coast Mariners Westfield W-League side has consolidated its position at the top of the table after downing geographical rivals the Newcastle Jets 3-1 at Bluetongue Stadium this evening.
The Central Coast Mariners Westfield W-League side has consolidated its position at the top of the table after downing geographical rivals the Newcastle Jets 3-1 at Bluetongue Stadium this evening.
In a match that never really got out of second gear the hosts were able to secure the points courtesy of the boots of Michelle Heyman, Kendall Fletcher and Lydia Vandenbergh. While for the visitors from the northern end of the F3 Tara Andrews was the lone scorer on the score sheet.
“I-m very happy with the three points, it-s always tough playing teams who-ve got nothing to lose,” Head Coach Stephen Roche said.
“My word the first half lacked intensity and that was addressed at halftime. We especially lacked intensity in the front third. We needed more mobility and more movement from our front two,” Roche said.
Jenna Kingsley who was drafted in to replace the injured Kelly Golebiowski got the Mariners attack started with a lovely set of interchange passes with Michelle Heyman in just the third minute but Heyman was unable to get her shot away under pressure from the Newcastle defence.
Heyman seemed determined to add to her tally of 10 goals for the season putting the Jets ‘keeper Emma-Kate Dewhurst under enormous pressure after the Jets ‘keeper misjudged a run out of her box.
American import Lydia Vandenbergh had the chance to open the scoring in the 19th minute with her opportunistic free kick from the edge of the penalty area dropping late and rebounding off the near post. Unfortunately for the home side the ball fell safely for the Jet-s defence who were able to defuse the situation.
Drama erupted in the 24th minute when Newcastle-s Amber Neilson was shown a direct red card for dissent from the pocket of referee Peta McCallum.
Ashleigh Connor should-ve opened the scoring for the hosts when she was on the end of a pinpoint cross from Kingsley but she mistimed her volley and the ball sailed harmlessly over the bar.
While Newcastle attempted to re-organise their shape Renee Rollason was determined to open the scoring with an opportunistic shot from distance almost bringing the ultimate reward moments later. Dewhurst was able to spare her teammates blushes by expertly defusing the shot.
With the Jets down to ten players it was only a matter of time before the Mariners found a way through their defence. A perfect through ball by Renee Rollason hung in the air for what seemed like an eternity allowing Michelle Heyman to skip past her marker and volley the ball into an unguarded near post.
It was a classy finish typical of the league-s leading markswoman and her eleventh of the campaign.
The Mariners joy was short lived with a mistake deep in their half allowing Tara Andrews to pounce on a loose ball and slot the ball low and to the left of Mariners ‘keeper Jillian Loyden. Compounding the Mariners frustration was that this was the Jets sole shot on target for the half.
The intensity of the match lifted notably in the second half with the home side attacking with purpose, completing their passes and tackling with controlled aggression. In the process they also created a number of scoring chances.
The first fell to Renee Rollason and the second to Ashleigh Connor, who was thwarted by the desperate Newcastle defence.
Captain Caitlin Cooper snapped a shot from the edge of the penalty area that was blocked with the rebound falling to the feet of Jenna Kingsley who was unable to capitlise with her shot sailing over the top of the bar.
The Mariners regained the lead in the 71st minute when American Kendall Fletcher defied first physics and then gravity to give the home side a one-goal advantage.
Fletcher-s corner curled and dipped perfectly into the top corner with Jets ‘keeper Dewhurst getting a touch but to no avail. Her celebration like her corner was perfectly timed with a double back flip delighting the diehard fans.
Jenna Kingsley was able to evade three tiring defenders with an incisive run in the 74th minute. The beneficiary of her perfectly weighted cross was American Lydia Vandenbergh who was able to flick it into an empty net sealing the points for the home side.
“The girls were angry with themselves at halftime for making that mistake. They were angry because that has been the thing we-ve really worked to improve on for this season. We-ve worked really hard on our concentration and not having those lapses.
“It took a little while for the girls to get going in the second half, I thought we had a few good chances in the first half where we missed one on the line and one went over the bar,” Roche said.
“We moved them round and they got tired.
“It-s going to be a challenge next week because we have to reshuffle our backline because we lose Caitlin Cooper.
“It-s an important game for us,” Roche said.
The Central Coast Mariners Westfield W-League side-s next home match is at Bluetongue Stadium next Saturday, 5 December. Kick-off is at 3:00pm. Tickets are $5 for Adults and $2 Child/Concession, available at the gate.
Mariners Four match Christmas Packs for the remainder of the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season are now available online at www.ccmariners.com.au or by phoning 1300 767 442.
Match Details
Central Coast Mariners: 1. Jillian LOYDEN (GK) 2. Caitlin COOPER 3. Lyndsay GLOHE 4. Rachael DOYLE 9. Renee ROLLASON (7. Teresa POLIAS 90- )10. Kendall FLETCHER 11. Michelle HEYMAN (5. Jessica SEAMAN 87-) 12. Samantha SPACKMAN 14. Ashleigh CONNOR (13. Trudy CAMILLERI 70-) 16. Jenna KINGSLEY 19. Lydia VANDENBERGH
Unused Subs 20. Rachel COOPER (GK)
Yellow Cards Cooper 79-
Red Cards Nil
Goals Heyman 36-, Fletcher 71-, Vandenbergh 74-
Newcastle Jets: 20. Emma-Kate DEWHURST (GK), 3. Pelay INGLES, 5. Stacey DAY (18. Leia SMITH 52-) , 6. Amber NEILSON, 7. Gema SIMON, 8. Bronte BATES (9. Kate HENSMAN 63-), 10. Hayley CRAWFORD (c), 11. Carlie IKONOMOU, 15. Renee CARTWRIGHT (13. Caitlin JARVIE 80-), 16. Kirstyn PEARCE, 19. Tara ANDREWS.
Unused Subs 1. Alison LOGUE (GK).
Yellow Cards Bates 39-, Iknonmou 79-
Red Cards Neilson 24-
Goals Andrews 44-
Referee Peta MCCALLUM
