Dumont stars as spoils shared in Simon’s Coast come back

Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne Victory shared the points after a competitive clash at Industree Group Stadium on Saturday evening.

Peta Trimis gave the Mariners a dream start, before Emily Gielnik netted an equaliser for Melbourne Victory in the second half.

Emily Husband made three changes to the side that fell to a narrow defeat against high-fliers Western United last week, as Casey Dumont, Annabel Martin and Tess Quilligan came into the starting eleven.

Kyah Simon would once again feature off the bench and almost made a decisive impact, in her first home appearance since returning to the place where her illustrious career began 16 years ago.

It was a strong start from the hosts with Trimis netting her third of the season after just six minutes, and it almost got even better minutes later, but Bianca Galic’s shot flashed inches past the post as she somehow still seeks her first Liberty A-League goal for the club, coming so close in recent weeks.

Quilligan was next to go close for the Mariners, on 23 minutes she unleashed a volley from 25 yards that dipped onto the crossbar with Courtney Newborn worried.

The Mariners took their 1-0 lead into the break but Victory came out strongly in the second half, with Gielnik in particular proving a real handful.

Dumont made a big save on 53 minutes to deny the Matilda’s forward, but there was nothing she could do about the equaliser on 64 minutes as Gielnik found the top corner after a strong run.

Victory had the momentum at this moment and Dumont’s afternoon would get busier, as she was called upon to tip Alex Chidiac’s shot round the post, before stretching to claw away Lia Privitelli’s cross and deny Gielnik a tap in.

Simon was introduced on 64 minutes and her return to Gosford almost had the fairytale ending, as she attempted to lob Newborn with an audacious attempt from long range but it dropped onto the roof of the net.

Instead it would be the player at the other end for the Mariners who would make the headlines, as Dumont made a string of fine saves late on to deny Victory a winner.

On 87 minutes she tipped McKenzie Weinert’s effort over the bar, before making two further impressive stops in added time to protect a hard-earned point for the Mariners.

Husband’s side are next in action on Sunday evening, a late one for Mariners fans as they face Perth Glory at 10:30pm AEDT.

They return to Industree Group Stadium on March 3rd, as they welcome Adelaide United. Tickets for that game are available to purchase now!

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