Central Coast Mariners fell to our first defeat since January 4th in the Ninja A-League, at the hands of Melbourne Victory at the Home of the Matildas.
It was an incredibly frustrating afternoon in Victoria, as a number of refereeing decisions didn’t go our way, whilst we also hit the woodwork once in each half.
Emily Gielnik was on target twice for the hosts, putting her top of the scoring charts as Melbourne ended an unbeaten run of five matches for the Mariners.
A major positive from a disappointing day was the return of Izzy Gomez from the bench in the second half. Our star midfielder had been out since Round Four, when she picked up an injury against Melbourne at Unite Round.
🔢 Line-Up
Emily Husband made two changes to the starting eleven, Annalise Rasmussen and Shadeene Evans coming in.
Tiana Fuller dropped to the bench and Bianca Galic missed out through injury, the Croatian international a big loss for the Mariners in midfield.
Starting XI: Langman (GK), Seaman, Nash, Martin (C), Pennock, Ray, Rasmussen, Rowe, Quilligan, Nunn.
Substitutions:
59′ ON: Gomez, Fuller, Kraszula OFF: Seaman, Rasmussen, Evans
77′ ON: Trimis OFF: Quilligan
Unused subs: Carmichael (GK), Puxty.
🔒 Our team list is locked in to take on Melbourne
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) February 16, 2025
🙌 Gomez returns via the bench
🤕 Galic misses today due to injury
🔁 Shay back in the Starting XI#CCMFC #MVCvCCM #RideTheWave🌊 pic.twitter.com/TaXPdkEkHq
First Half
Jade Pennock had a huge chance early on, but couldn’t find a way past Courtney Newbon after being found in the box by a clever pass from Nunn.
The Mariners would rue that missed opportunity as Gielnik was clinical with Melbourne’s first chance on 10 minutes, confidently slotting into the bottom corner after being put through on goal by Alana Murphy’s defence-splitting pass.
Our first penalty shout came on 28 minutes as Evans went down in the box, but claims were waved away.
On 41 minutes, there were two shouts in one as both Jess Seaman and Rasmussen were brought down in tussles at a Mariners corner, but again nothing was given by referee Caitlin Williams.
Less than a minute later at the other end, Williams pointed to the spot to award Victory a penalty, although there would be no complaints from the Mariners after a clear foul from Seaman.
The Mariners would be let off anyway, Gielnik not showing the composure she had done earlier in the match as she blazed wildly over the bar from 12 yards.
Melbourne did manage to double their lead moments later, a corner looked to have been initially dealt with but Chidiac volleyed back towards goal and it somehow found its way through a crowd of bodies and into the Mariners net, Gielnik claiming the final touch.
The Mariners almost grabbed a goal back before the break, but Rasmussen’s shot came back off the crossbar, summing up our luck in a frustrating first half.
Second half
As the Mariners came out searching for a way back into the game, Nunn snatched at a big opportunity almost straight from kick-off, slicing wide from inside the box.
Melbourne then went close to making it 3-0 twice before the 50 minute mark. Chidiac’s inswinging corner caught the wind and came back off the Mariners crossbar, before Nickoletta Flannery shot straight at Sarah Langman.
Gomez made her welcome return on the hour mark and looked her energetic, tough-tackling old self, despite ultimately being unable to help make any impact on the scoreboard.
Not the result we were after today, but how good was it to see our number six back out on the pitch! 👏
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) February 16, 2025
After being sidelined for 85 days, it’s great to have you back, Izzy 💛#CCMFC #RideTheWave🌊 pic.twitter.com/gMVa2mEmgW
On 65 minutes, substitute Tiana Fuller almost caught out Newbon with a clever effort, but her shot came off the outside of the post.
Industrious work from Gomez on 70 minutes saw her win a free-kick for the Mariners, it was smartly taken by Taylor Ray who disguised a pass into the Pennock, her curling effort forcing a full-stretch save from Newbon.
The Mariners pushed until the end for a route back into the game, Pennock having our final chance from a Ray corner on 88 minutes, but we were unable to get on the scoresheet on a frustrating afternoon.
▶️ 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 next in action on 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 this Saturday against Western Sydney Wanderers in a huge Isuzu UTE A-League match.
