Statement made as Mariners stun Champions in Round One

Central Coast Mariners took a solid point from their visit to Tarneit after a goalless draw against Western United on Friday evening.

There were 10 goals between the two teams’ opening day fixtures, so not many would have expected the first goalless draw of the Ninja A-League season to come in this fixture, but defences would come out on top at Ironbark Fields.

The Mariners started strongly with Brooke Nunn particularly threatening on the right flank, though it was the hosts who would go on to have the better chances in the match, but Sarah Langman held firm between the sticks for the Mariners.

Line-Up

Emily Husband made two changes to the side that defeated Sydney FC at Our Paradise in Round One.

Bianca Galic returned to the starting eleven and captained the side, replacing Shadeene Evans who dropped to the bench whilst Leia Puxty made her first start for the club after making her debut off the bench last weekend.

There were milestones for Izzy Gomez who made her 50th A-League appearance, and for another young Coastie in Lily McMahon who made her Mariners debut off the bench late on.

Starting XI: Langman (GK), Irwin, Nash, Martin, Gomez, Galic (C), Pennock, Ray, Puxty, Nunn, Trimis.

Substitutions:
60′ ON: Rasmussen OFF: Trimis
78′ ON: Evans OFF: Puxty
89′ ON: McMahon OFF: Nunn

Unused Subs: Morrissey (GK), Quilligan

📋 Our lineup is in to face Western United!

🫡 Bianca wears the armband
☝️ Local Coastie Leia Puxty makes her first start
💥 Scholar Lily McMahon named on the bench#CCMFC #WUNvCCM #RideTheWave🌊 pic.twitter.com/79djvRnVQK
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) November 8, 2024

First Half

An even contest in the first half saw chances at both ends, Nunn and Jade Pennock were looking lively in attack for the Mariners. Pennock had the game’s first shot on three minutes but saw her left-footed strike sail over the bar.

At the other end, Catherine Zimmerman and Chloe Logarzo were Western’s most dangerous players. Zimmerman dragged a shot wide before Logarzo forced Langman into a save with a low drive from range.

Pennock and Nunn combined again on 13 minutes for the Mariners best chance of the half, Pennock firing over from inside the box.

The end-to-end nature of the game continued as Logarzo forced Langman into two saves in quick succession on 25 minutes, before another big chance for the Mariners.

Nunn spit the Western defence with a brilliant pass for Pennock who broke clear before laying off to Peta Trimis but the hosts’ defence recovered to make a crucial block.

Second half

Western came out strongly in the second half and had a golden chance within five minutes of the restart, Zimmerman’s cross found Aimee Medwin at the back-post but she mis-timed her header.

Langman was forced into another save on 55 minutes, before Kahli Johnson came closest to opening the scoring on 72 minutes, firing a shot from range that crashed off the bar.

Despite the hosts having the better of the second half possession and chances, the Mariners remained dangerous off the break but the best they could create was Pennock’s effort from a tight angle that hit the side netting.

In the end, Husband and the team will be satisfied with a solid point away from home against a strong Western side, putting the Mariners on four points from their opening two games.