Central Coast Mariners Women took a huge step towards securing a place in the 2024/25 Ninja A-League finals series, with a 2-1 win over Brisbane Roar in Sunday’s Onside With The Mariners Charity Round Double Header.
The Mariners recovered from conceding in the first minute, turning the game around with goals from in-form duo Izzy Gomez and Annalise Rasmussen.
Some were beginning to doubt the Mariners after a run of five matches without a win in February and March, but they have responded with back-to-back wins over fellow finals contenders.
After the win against Brisbane, Emily Husband’s team need just one point from games against Melbourne Victory (at home on April 11th) and Newcastle Jets (away on April 19th) to mathematically confirm their spot in a second consecutive Finals series.
Line-Up
Starting XI: Langman (GK), Nash, Martin, Gomez, Pennock, Galic (C), Ray, Rasmussen, Rowe, Nunn, Trimis.
Substitutions:
57′ ON: Fuller OFF: Nunn
67′ ON: Puxty, Hughes OFF: Rowe, Trimis
89′ ON: Quilligan OFF: Gomez
Unused subs: Carmichael (GK)
An unchanged lineup is locked in to face Brisbane
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) March 30, 2025#CCMFC #CCMvBRI #RideTheWave
pic.twitter.com/sVeSCsWrnG
First Half
Brisbane made a dream start, opening the scoring after less than a minute through Laini Freier. Sarah Langman made a fine double save after Freier initially went through on goal, but the 23-year-old found the back of the net at the third attempt.
The Mariners weathered the early Roar storm and hit back on 22 minutes, Gomez anticipating a loose ball on the halfway line and charging clear of the Brisbane defence before coolly slotting in her fifth goal of the season.
There was a huge chance for Jade Pennock late in the first half but she couldn’t find the target with a volley from inside the box, following a missed clearance from a Brisbane defender.
Second half
It was a second half of few clear-cut chances but the Mariners took theirs when it counted, Rasmussen finding the back of the net for a third consecutive game.
Peta Trimis, a lively outlet all game for the Mariners, flashed a ball across the face and Rasmussen was perfectly place to fire in off the underside of the crossbar.
Annalise Rasmussen has been 𝐔𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐏𝐏𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄!
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) April 1, 2025
Three goals in three matches for the 19-year-old star#CCMFC #RideTheWave
Roar’s best chance to equalise came on the 82nd minute as the flag stayed down for Tanaye Morris but she couldn’t find a way past Sarah Langman as the Mariners held out for a huge three points.
Highlights via Central Coast Mariners YouTube
Watch the full highlights below, with further match reaction including Rasmussen’s post-match thoughts, available via Central Coast Mariners on YouTube.
Next up
The next action at Our Paradise is on April 11th as our Ninja A-League side host Melbourne Victory, with just a point needed from the final two games to make finals.
Our Men now face back-to-back away games against Melbourne City and Newcastle Jets, before they will look to finish the season strongly at home to Macarthur (April 20th) and Brisbane Roar (May 2nd).
