Central Coast Mariners took on Sydney FC in the last regular season game of the Ninja A-League at the Polytec Stadium.
The Mariners sat in sixth place on 27 points pre-kickoff, a win guaranteed play-off football.
Central Coast played out a 0-0 draw in their last Ninja A-League match at home against Canberra United, extending their unbeaten streak to three.
The must win game for the Mariners started scrappy as both teams tired to get a foothold in the game. An early free kick for Central Coast brought the games first chance but keeper Hinz punched away.
Familton with a great run getting the better of the Sydney defender down the by-line and won corner for the Mariners. The Central Coast player has started the game bright.
Timar Levin sees Sydney keeper Hinz off her line and goes for a long range effort but is no trouble for the visitors.
The Mariners have most of the possession in the opening 15-minutes but Sydney FC hold strong and look to release the pressure on the counter.
The best chance of the opening 20 came when Familton got on to a long ball from the keeper but rattled the post from 10 yards out.
As the rain continued to fall, the game started to open up and Sydney found their confidence. 27-minutes on the clock brought their best chance of the game so far but the Mariners defence stood firm.
On the 32-minute mark the pitch opened for Farrows and a 3-on-2 looked to be on but a wayward pass meant it was a missed opportunity for the all important opening goal.
A training ground free kick routine for the Mariners was quickly snuffed out by Sydney and they looked to counter, frustrating the home side who needed the win to make the playoffs.
Goalless in the first half, Central Coast will look to come out swinging to secure a place in the playoffs.
Central Coast start the second half bright as they push for the opening goal but Sydney continue to hold strong frustrating the home side. With Brisbane winning as it stands, a win is a must for the Mariners.
The ball falls perfectly for Farrow on the edge of the 6-yard box but can’t find her feet and the chance is squandered. 55-minutes gone and we still look for the opening goal of the game.
Sydney continue not giving up and counter in the 57th minute. A long range shot is easily dealt with by Grove but a warning for the home team.
18-year old Farrington goes down with a heavy challenge. The Mariners player has been the best on the pitch so good to see her okay to able to play on.
Sydney make a double change in the 68th minute which sees 28-year old Jodi Ulkekul leave the pitch for the final time. The American national retires from the sport after truly international career.
A deep cross from Martin down the right side brings keeper Hinz out to parry with a chance of a follow up but the Sydney keeper recovers and the chance is gone. 73-minutes in the the Mariners need a goal
A huge chance for Sydney but Baumann’s last ditch tackle saves Central Coast in the 74th minute, the game has really opened up and is end-to-end.
77-minute in and Central Coast make a change. Farrow gives way to Hughes. A massive last 20-minutes and fresh legs will hopefully help the home side.
19-year old Bowman comes on in the 82nd minute to make her A-League debut. Can the youngster be the difference?
Into the last 5-minutes of the game and it’s now or never for Central Coast Mariners.
Heart-in-mouth moment for Central Coast Mariners as they manage to clear a 90th minute goal mouth scramble but it’s Sydney in the driving seat in the dying embers of the game.
It’s everyone forward for the Mariners in the 92nd minute. 11 players behind the ball for Sydney and a goal needed to secure future of the season.
Central Coast Mariners will need Canberra United to get a result at Brisbane to get back into the top 6 of the ladder.
