Central Coast Mariners host Melbourne City this Saturday at Industree Group Stadium in the first leg of the Ninja A-League Women’s Semi Finals (2:15pm kick-off).
by Priya O’Sullivan
With Grand finals on the line and two quality sides going head-to-head, Saturday’s clash promises to deliver finals football at it’s best.
The Mariners booked their place in the semi-finals on Monday evening, despite a 24-hour delay due to wet weather and falling behind to a Michelle Heyman strike, the Mariners rallied and Jade Pennock stepped up with a match winning brace, sealing a 2-1 comeback win and setting up a two-legged time with the Premiers.
An electric atmosphere at Our Paradise on Monday fuelled the Mariners, who will look to bring the same energy and more into Saturday’s Semi Final.
A Semi-Final on home soil. 90 minutes. One step from the Grand Final. The Mariners are ready. Are you?
GET YOUR SEMI-FINAL TICKETS HERE
🔎 Melbourne City
Unbeaten. Top of the table. Premiers. City arrive fresh and ready. Guided by the Micheal Matricciani in his debut Ninja A-League season, they bring finals experience into what promises to be a fierce contest.
Led by an all star cast and experienced players like shot-stopper Melissa Barbieri, Golden Boot Winner Holly McNamara and dynamic forward Bryleeh Henry, City will be tough to match.
The talent runs deep and its being noticed. Alexia Apostolakis has featured in every match this season and has joined the Matilda’s as a train-on player. Midfielder Leah Davidson returns to the senior squad after a breakout year in midfield. Add that to City’s front-line and it is clear this squad is stacked for a serious finals run.
⏮ Previously against City
Despite all City’s quality, the Mariners can take confidence from the fact that we are one of the few teams to have taken points off City on two occasions, a 2-2 draw in Victoria before a 0-0 draw in the most recent meeting back in Round Nine.
Defences were on top but City had two chances from the spot, Sarah Langman being the standout star, keeping City scoreless in style as she saved one penalty before the second was sent wide.
City have been the benchmark all season, but two draws prove that the Mariners can take the test to the league’s top side.
⭐️ Mariners’ key players
Combatting City’s stacked squad is a Mariners team that will be buzzing to go again after Monday’s win over Canberra.
Pennock was the standout, scoring twice including a stunning long-range strike but the comeback win was a true team effort.
Wing-backs Tiana Fuller and Annabel Martin combined brilliantly to create the equaliser, showing just how free-flowing and dangerous the Mariners can be in transition, whilst Bianca Galic and Izzy Gomez, as always, had massive impacts on the game from midfield.
At the other end, Langman delivered when it mattered most, pulling off two crucial saves to keep the Mariners in the match, our Number One will have to be on top form again on Saturday.
Forced off late against Canberra with an injury, Taylor Ray’s potential absence would be a major loss for the Mariners. One of the most consistent and composed performers, her presence when in the midfield or at centre back has been crucial all season.
However, the timely return to fitness of captain Taren King and experienced Irish International Sarah Rowe will go some way to filling the gap left by the influential leader Ray.
🗣 Husband: “The crowd are crucial”
Emily Husband and Jade Pennock spoke to the media this week, get all their pre-match thoughts via the Official Central Coast Mariners YouTube.
