It was the perfect weekend for the Mariners women’s and girl’s academy, as the sides came away with five wins from five matches.
All against Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC, the day got off to the ideal start with the under 14’s bouncing back from a defeat last weekend, coming away with an important victory.
The afternoon ending with our first grade side making it three from three, sitting at the top of the League One Women’s ladder.
First grade vs Mt Druitt Town
The Mariners first grade women’s side travelled to Popondetta Park on Sunday evening, coming away 2-0 victors.
The team were able to maintain extended periods of pressure throughout the early passages of play, looking the better of the two sides early. That fast start was soon rewarded, with Ava Carlson scoring our first.
The goal coming from a move that started deep in the Mariners third, with some lovely play resulting in the youngster converting in the 22nd minute.
A late chance from Mt Druitt was thwarted by an impressive one on one save from Kiara Fontanilla, giving the Central Coast a 1-0 half time lead.
One became two shortly after the break, with a sweeping move down the right flank leading to an attacking run from Kaitlin Murphy.
The skipper cutting the ball back to Sophie Nenadovic in the box, calmly slotting it in the 58th minute.
Despite keeping control of the match, the side were unable to score another, seeing out the 2-0 victory comfortably.
Under 20’s vs Mt Druitt Town
After missing last weekend’s match due to the heat, the Central Coast Mariners under 20’s side came out firing on Sunday afternoon.
Three well worked goals inside the opening half hour put the side in the drivers seat from the outset, with Chloe Cattley, Natalie Davis and Rachel Glendenning all getting their names on the scoresheet.
Despite having a final few chances to extend the lead further, the team were unable to score a fourth, heading into the break with a 3-0 lead.
Mt Druitt came into the second half with a different gameplan, dropping deep and setting up defensively to prevent attacks.
Chances did continue to flow, however it wasn’t until the 87th minute that the team got another.
Ava Carlson scoring her first of the day, capping off a pleasing 4-0 result.
Youth Girls vs Mt Druitt Town
Three wins from three matches for the youth girls academy got the day off to the perfect start for the Mariners.
The under 14’s getting the morning underway early, heading into the break with a commanding 2-0 lead.
From there the side made sure to not let it slip, scoring another two to record a 4-1 victory.
After taking a 1-0 lead into half time, the Mariners showed their strength in the second period.
Five unanswered goals saw them continue their perfect start to the season, coming away with a 6-0 win.
After also missing their game due to the heat last weekend, the under 16’s continued their brilliant beginning to 2023 with their second win of the season.
Leading 2-0 at the break, a third sealed the 3-0 result, and the perfect day for the youth girls.
