Central Coast Mariners Women have booked their place in then Ninja A-League Semi-Finals after a second-half comeback against Canberra United.
A Jade Pennock brace made it worth the wait for the 1500+ crowd at Our Paradise on Monday evening, after the 24 hour delay following Sunday’s wet weather.
The win sees Emily Husband’s team host Melbourne City next Saturday in the Semi-Final First Leg, set to take place at 2:15pm on Saturday 3rd May, with tickets on sale from Tuesday 29th April at 3pm.
🔁 On repeat for the rest of the week.
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) April 28, 2025
A Jade Pennock 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐓 fires us into the Semi-Finals! 🚀#CCMFC #RideTheWave🌊 pic.twitter.com/Jmrl5RG6bc
🔢 Line-Up
Starting XI: Langman (GK), Nash, Martin, Gomez, Pennock, Galic, Ray, Rasmussen, Fuller, King (C), Nunn.
Substitutions:
58′ ON: Rowe OFF: King
71′ ON: Kraszula, Trimis OFF: Fuller, Nunn
90′ ON: Puxty OFF: Ray
Unused subs: Carmichael (GK), Evans
Our Elimination Final team is locked in! 🔒
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) April 28, 2025
🫡 King captains in her first start since injury
💫 Fuller moves into the starting XI
💪 Kraszula takes up the extra sub spot#CCMFC #CCMvCBR #RideTheWave🌊 pic.twitter.com/VJo4Qtcl7W
First Half
It was a fiery start to the game as both teams looked to get on top in this Elimination Match, Darcey Malone and Izzy Gomez both seeing early cards.
The Mariners were on top in the early stages but neither side created any clear cut chances in the opening 25 minutes, before Sarah Langman made the game’s first real save, getting down well to deny Michelle Heyman after the veteran striker broke through on goal.
Canberra were enjoying their best spell of the game before the break, with Aideen Keane the next to force Langman into action before the former Sydney forward found herself in the book for clattering into Annabel Martin.
At the other end, Gomez threatened with a shot from range but it was Canberra that broke the deadlock, Heyman getting in and curling a brilliant shot past Langman.
Second half
The Mariners needed a response in the second half and wasted no time at all, Pennock lashing home from inside the box after a matter of second to level the tie.
It was all happening at the start of the second half as Annalise Rasmussen had a chance on 48 minutes but couldn’t connect, before Keane escaped a second yellow card and Langman made another fine stop, this time denying Mary Stanic-Floody.
The defining moment in the game came on 75 minutes, Gomez finding Pennock on the edge of the box who made just enough room for a shot and fired an unstoppable effort past Sally James, a goal worthy of winning any match.
The Mariners dug in to see out the win and book a place in the Semi-Finals for a second consecutive season since our return to the competition.
They will take on unbeaten Premiers Melbourne City, with the first leg at Our Paradise on Saturday 3rd May, 2:15pm kick-off.
▶️ Match Reaction via Central Coast Mariners YouTube
Watch the full highlights and match reaction including Bianca Galic and Emily Husband’s post-match thoughts from via Central Coast Mariners on YouTube.
