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“We always love being at home” – A look ahead to Friday night’s Liberty A-League clash at Our Paradise

Central Coast Mariners Women are back at Our Paradise on Friday evening, as they host Melbourne City Women in the Liberty A-League, kick-off 7pm.

It is a welcome return to Gosford for Emily Husband’s team, with the last fixture in front of a home crowd almost a month ago when they defeated Wellington Phoenix 1-0.

Since that Wellington victory, the girls travelled to Melbourne before being interrupted by an international break, returning to Liberty A-League action last weekend, losing 3-0 away at Western Sydney Wanderers.

Husband’s side could easily have found themselves two or three goals to the good at half time on another day, but a fine performance from Wanderers keeper Sham Khamis frustrated the Mariners, in particular Rola Badawiya, who she thwarted on three separate occasions.

Sophie Harding’s header then gave the hosts the lead on the stroke of half time, before Wanderers netted twice in the second half, including a second for Harding, to seal a 3-0 win for Wanderers.

City also fell to defeat last time out, their first of the season, as Perth Glory ran out 3-1 winners in the top-of-the-table clash. City now sit second, level on points with Glory but behind on goal difference.

Hannah Wilkinson had given the hosts the lead but Glory responded to level before the break through Millie Farrow. Farrow then completed a hat-trick in the second half to seal the comeback win and take the three points back to Western Australia.

What has been said ahead of the match?

On returning to Our Paradise, Husband said:

We always love being at home and being back in front of our fans. We feel the way they lift us and that really means something to the players.

Husband was keen to praise 18-year-old Tess Quilligan’s debut performance against Western Sydney Wanderers, which she identified as one of the positives to take from last week’s defeat.

From a statistical standpoint, she had the highest pass completion of any player, that is a really good statistic for any young player coming into their first A-League game.”

That speaks volumes about the type of player she is so obviously we were very happy with her.”

She is in the squad again for Friday, so she can continue to work on the areas that we have touched on this week. I’m excited to continue working with her on her journey.”

Tess herself also spoke to the press, reflecting on her debut as well as looking ahead to Friday’s match and touching on her relationship with the manager.

“My debut was exciting, I was just happy to get on the field and I think I did pretty well, there are things I can improve on of course but it was a good start for me.”

“It will be nice to make my home debut. Last week we had a good away following but we will have a lot more at Our Paradise so it’s exciting.”

Quilligan and Husband had an existing relationship before Mariners, as Husband coached the young midfielder at Sydney University. Tess explained how this is helping her transition into A-League football.

“I know how [Emily] wants to play so that makes it easier for me transitioning into the team.”

Tickets are still available for Friday’s clash, you can get yours now by clicking here!

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