With both sides looking for crucial points to secure play-off positions, the passion and energy were evident at polytec Stadium.
The opening half-hour saw both teams battle for control, with much of the game being played in the middle third of the field.
18-year-old Eliza Familton’s speed and strength proved to be a useful asset for Kory Babington’s side, transitioning from defence into attack early on in the contest.
Izzy Gomez continued to be a gamebreaker for the Mariners, connecting well with striker Millie Farrow, finding herself in the box in the 29th minute. Unfortunately for the home side, her volley was sliced wide of the post.
The Mariners continued to pile on the pressure, hemming Canberra into their own half for most of the remaining 15 minutes of the first half.
Annalee Grove came up big when she was called upon, rushing off her line and getting down low to her left, denying Canberra skipper Michelle Hayman in the 32nd minute in what was the best chance of the half for the visitors.
Canberra goalkeeper Sally James would not be outdone by Grove’s heroics, however, making several crucial interventions to keep the Mariners scoreless going into half-time. This included stopping an audacious effort from just outside the centre circle from Izzy Gomez, which James was able to stop just before the ball crossed the line.
The importance of the match for both teams became more apparent as the second half wore on, with the game stretching and the referee’s whistle stopping the game with regularity.
Tamar Levin was particularly dangerous on the dead ball for the Mariners, forcing a number of top-drawer saves out of Canberra’s net-minder to keep the scores tied.
Annalee Grove was largely unchallenged in the second half but ensured her clean sheet remained intact with a smart stop low to her right, denying Canberra substitute Mary Stanic-Floody in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
Despite multiple second-half substitutions from both head coaches, neither side was able to break the deadlock, and the game finished 0-0.
The Mariners remain in sixth place, two points ahead of Melbourne Victory and three ahead of Perth Glory with one round left to play.
They will host bottom-of-the-table Sydney FC on Saturday, April 4, looking to secure their place in the top six and move on to the play-offs.
