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Mariners comeback against Canberra to make it five unbeaten

A fantastic second half comeback from Central Coast Mariners saw them make it five matches unbeaten in the Ninja A-League.

Canberra led in the first half through Maja Markovski’s stunning long-range strike, after Jade Pennock saw an early penalty saved by Sally James.

An inspired second half double substitution from Emily Husband made the difference, with Tiana Fuller and Shadeene Evans both scoring within ten minutes of coming on.

16-year-old Fuller netted just five minutes after coming on for her Ninja A-League debut, with Evans starting and finishing a superb move five minutes later to complete the turnaround.

Line-Up

Starting XI: Langman (GK), Riley, Irwin, Nash, Martin, Galic (C), Pennock, Ray, Rasmussen, Nunn, Trimis.

Substitutions:
57′ ON: Fuller, Evans OFF: Rasmussen, Nunn
75′ ON: McMahon OFF: Trimis
85′ ON: Quilligan OFF: Pennock

Unused Subs: Carmichael (GK)

First Half

An entertaining start to the game saw the Mariners threaten early on before being awarded a penalty 10 minutes in after Pennock was bundled over in the box, the English forward took the penalty herself but saw her effort saved by James in the Canberra goal.

With James’ penalty save and Sarah Langman in inspired form for the Mariners, it looked like it was going to be the goalkeepers’ day, before the deadlock was broken in stunning fashion on 37 minutes.

Markovski continued her eye-catching start to the season with her third goal, a rocket from distance which arrowed into the top corner of Langman’s goal.

Canberra should have made it 2-0 on 42 minutes, Emma Robers unable to convert a glaring opportunity from Aideen Keane’s cutback.

A minute later, there was a big chance for the Mariners to equalise. Peta Trimis, another standout performer for the Mariners on the day, burst down the right hand side before cutting the ball back, a neat touch from Annalise Rasmussen teed up a shot for Pennock but she dragged wide.

Second half

Langman made an incredible double save on 55 minutes, saving one-on-one with Markovski before also denying Ruby Nathan’s follow-up. A huge moment in the game.

The game would be changed on 57 minutes as Husband turned to her bench for the first time, turning to Evans and instilling her trust in 16-year-old Fuller and they certainly repaid her faith.

It took Fuller just five minutes to announce herself to the Ninja A-League, coolly finishing inside the box for our equaliser.

Canberra looked to restore their lead but again found Langman at her very best, Nathan struck well from the edge of the box but Langman tipped the ball over at full-stretch.

The turnaround was complete just five minutes later. Evans started the move with a fine pass to Pennock, before timing her run into the box and finishing brilliantly past James into the bottom corner.

Fuller was making quite the impression on her debut, looking very dangerous down the left. On 77 minutes she crossed for Pennock who couldn’t get enough power on her header.

The Mariners saw the game out to make five matches unbeaten which moves them up to third in the Ninja A-League.

📺 Highlights
🗣 Emily Husband: “The subs made a massive impact”
⏭ Next up

There is no Ninja A-League home match until December 22 when Western United are the visitors, as Husband’s side have a BYE next week before travelling to Brisbane on December 14.

However, the action continues at Our Paradise with our Men’s team taking centre stage next week with two huge home matches.

Mark Jackson’s side face a Mariners legend in John Hutchinson on Tuesday evening, as his Yokohama F. Marinos side are the visitors in the AFC Champions League Elite.

Isuzu UTE A-League action returns next weekend, with a huge clash against Sydney FC as Douglas Costa and co make the short trip north.

Tickets for all matches are on sale via Ticketek, or you can secure your seat for all remaining matches with an Official Mariners Membership!

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