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Mariners Match Wrap: Close contest in Canberra

Central Coast Mariners were held by Canberra United, in a close contest between two Ninja A-League top six contenders.

Just two points separated the two sides on the ladder heading into the game, with Mariners in fifth and Canberra in sixth and nothing would give despite both side’s best efforts to find a winner late on.

The Mariners had the lead at half time after Jade Pennock’s goal, but were pegged back immediately after the break as Michelle Heyman netted within a minute of the restart.

🔢 Line-Up

Emily Husband unsurprisingly made no changes to the side that cruised to a 5-1 F3 Derby win last weekend.

Starting XI: Langman (GK), Seaman, Nash, Martin, Pennock, Galic (C), Ray, Fuller, Rowe, Quilligan, Nunn.

Substitutions:
59′ ON: Rasmussen, Kraszula OFF: Seaman, Quilligan
72′ ON: Trimis OFF: Fuller

Unused subs: Carmichael (GK), Puxty.

First Half

It was a cagey start as we had to wait until the 30 minute mark for the game’s first shot on target, Brooke Nunn striking well on the half volley from range, forcing Sally James into a save.

Nunn was the Mariners brightest spark going forward so it was no surprise that she was heavily involved in the opening goal, driving through midfield before finding her English compatriot Pennock with a clever lofted pass, she did the rest with a clinical finish into the bottom corner.

Nunn had an opportunity of her own before the break, taking a shot on early after again combining with Pennock, but unable to beat James.

Second half

It was a nightmare start to the second half for the Mariners as Heyman slotted in an equaliser after less than a minute played.

The Mariners kept their composure despite conceding so early in the half, regaining a foothold in the game, although not providing too much of a threat to James’ goal.

The game continued to be cagey and scrappy, before bursting into life in the final stages as both sides were denied a winner by the woodwork.

First, on 86 minutes, Taylor Ray came so close to opening her Mariners account with a thunderous free-kick from distance which crashed off the post, with James beaten.

Hayley Taylor-Young tried her distance from range at the other end as we ticked over the 90 minute mark, seeing her effort come back off the post before substitute Jynaya dos Santos saw a curling effort clip the top of the crossbar.

Mariners’ in-form keeper Sarah Langman was kept on her toes until the very last minute, keeping out Emma Robers’ header from a late Canberra corner, to ensure we returned home with a point from the Capital City.

▶️ Post-match reaction via Central Coast Mariners YouTube

Watch the full highlights below, with further match reaction including post-match interviews available via Central Coast Mariners on YouTube.

🌴 Next up

Husband’s team are not back under the palms until February 28th, when they host Western Sydney Wanderers in the first instalment of a Double Header at Our Paradise.

You can still catch your fix of Mariners action on the Coast before then, with Mark Jackson’s team at home on Tuesday 11th February against Johor Darul Ta’Zim in the AFC Champions League Elite and on Saturday 22nd February against Western Sydney Wanderers in a huge Isuzu UTE A-League match.

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