Central Coast Mariners Women strengthened their grasp on a top six spot in the Liberty A-League with a 2-0 win over Adelaide at Our Paradise.
Newcastle Jets’ draw with Perth at the same time as our win, sees the gap between ourselves and seventh place extend to four points, with four Liberty A-League fixtures remaining.
Second half goals from Tiarna Karambasis and Wurigumula gave us a deserved three points, making it back to back wins either side of the International break.
The Mariners find the breakthrough as Tiarna Karambasis puts @CCMariners in front in Gosford! 🌴#CCMvADL is live on Paramount+ pic.twitter.com/e5Seja3ddH
— Paramount+ Australia (@ParamountPlusAU) March 3, 2024
Emily Husband’s team were the better side from the start but the visitors did pose some threat on the break in the first half, Sarah Langman was forced into a strong save on 32 minutes, and she did well to save a header from the resulting corner.
Paige Hayward had the Mariners best effort of the first half, unable to finish at the back post after some great work from Izzy Gomez, as we went into half time goalless.
The Mariners wouldn’t have to wait long for the breakthrough in the second half, however. On 50 minutes Kyah Simon’s powerful free-kick was blocked, before her follow up fell kindly to Karambasis in the box and she poked home her first for the club.
Husband’s team went in search of a second to kill the game off, and a flowing move saw us go close on 63 minutes, Rola Badawiya’s ball across was well dealt with by the Adelaide defender to deny Simon.
However, from the resulting corner the Mariners doubled their lead, after the ball was played short, a deep cross wasn’t dealt with by Annalee Sarah Grove, Wurigumula was on hand to blast home her first goal at Our Paradise.
All her previous five had come away from home in the Liberty A-League, but our number nine finally had her moment at home and didn’t she just look delighted!
Wurigumula doubles the @CCMariners advantage 🌴
— Paramount+ Australia (@ParamountPlusAU) March 3, 2024
A powerful strike from the Mariners star forward, who slots her 6th of the season#CCMvADL is live on Paramount+ pic.twitter.com/YDpFR1AWTH
Langman was called upon twice again at the other end but did well to keep her clean sheet in tact, saving well at the feet of Isabel Hodgson and making the save of the game on 80 minutes, diving to her left to palm a curling shot wide.
Husband’s side are next in action next Saturday, as they make the trip north to take on Brisbane Roar.
