The Central Coast Mariners Westfield W-League team has comprehensively thrashed Adelaide United 6-nil in their round 7 clash at Hindmarsh Stadium, to remain within a point of the top of the ladder with three regular season matches remaining.
The Central Coast Mariners Westfield W-League team has comprehensively thrashed Adelaide United 6-nil in their round 7 clash at Hindmarsh Stadium, to remain within a point of the top of the ladder with three regular season matches remaining.
Striker Michelle Heyman was in scintillating form netting a hat-trick. Her partner in crime Ashleigh Connor and American duo Kendall Fletcher and Lydia Vandenburgh completed the scoring.
“I was very happy with the result but disappointed we couldn-t nab the seventh to give us the record,” said Mariners Head Coach Stephen Roche.
“I thought we had a good chance to nab the seventh goal and we pushed everyone up to get it late in the game, but it wasn-t to be.”
In a match that equaled the score of the corresponding game last year the Mariners completely dominated.
The match began brightly for the visiting Central Coast side with defender Rachael Doyle just failing to hit the target with her header after an in-swinging corner from Kendall Fletcher was misread by Adelaide ‘keeper Sian McLaren.
Adelaide responded swiftly with Rachael Quigley blasting a shot from distance straight into the waiting arms of Mariners ‘keeper Jillian Loyden who had no problems defusing the situation.
From this point on the momentum completely swung the way of the Mariners. Ashleigh Connor went close to opening the scoring in the 18th minute but her elusive run went to waste as her shot cannoned into the near-post.
Five minutes later Lyndsay Glohe put a perfectly timed through ball to Kelly Golebiowski with the latter continuing the movement by crossing the ball to Heyman who managed to get her thigh to the ball and put it into the open net.
It was Heyman-s 6th goal of the campaign and significantly was the 200th Westfield W-League goal since the competitions inception in 2008.
The goal triggered what can only be described as an attacking frenzy from the Mariners.
Heyman should-ve doubled the lead minutes later when she was dispossessed by McLaren, after perhaps taking too much time to zone in on goal.
Ashleigh Connor attempted to continue where her strike partner left off but a cross from Renee Rollason just failed to connect with her head and the chance went begging.
The signs were ominous for the Adelaide defence as the Mariners were looking threatening every time they touched the ball.
American duo Kendall Fletcher and Lydia Vandenbergh demonstrated their obvious class by playing a lovely one-two combination that should-ve been rewarded with a goal, but the shot from Vandenbergh sailed over the crossbar.
Vandenbergh who had an amazing strike rate of 117 goals in three years at high school clearly felt that she had let an opportunity to score a goal for the Mariners go begging.
Both Connor and Heyman had two more attempted shots sail over the cross bar before the Mariners finally netted the second goal.
Vandenbergh provided the cross and Rachael Doyle for the second time in the match latched onto a header. This time she connected with the ball but Adelaide-s ‘keeper McLaren inadvertently pushed the ball straight into the path of a waiting Heyman who gratefully accepted the scraps in the 40th minute.
On the stroke of half time the Mariners effectively sealed the three points courtesy of the boot of Ashleigh Connor. This time Heyman turned provider with her cross being headed away ineffectively by Adelaide-s Karina Roweth who picked out Connor on the edge of the box.
Half time was a relief for both sides as it provided temporary refuge from the searing heat of Hindmarsh Stadium. Throughout the game the mercury was sitting on 38 degrees.
The first victim of the heat was not a player, but referee Lee Corey, who was replaced by Stacey Sasopolous.
Five minutes into the second half and Kendall Fletcher provided a highlight, which may well be a worthy goal of the year contender.
From 40 yards she unleashed a monstrous free-kick that curled and dipped into the top corner of the net of the hapless McLaren.
Not to be outdone Heyman completed her hat trick before the hour mark forcing home a shot on an acute angle after some strong lead-up play by Connor.
Substitute Jenna Kingsley, herself a two-goal hero from the corresponding game last season, made an immediate impact with her pass to Vandenbergh helping the American to the Mariners 6th goal of the afternoon. Vandenbergh-s shot was impressive given that it came it off her non-preferred right foot.
Lyndsay Glohe had the best chance to get the record breaking seventh goal with a strong shot in the 84th minute forcing McLaren to make a strong save.
The final two scoring chances of the match fell to the home side but both Quigley and French – Kennedy were unable to capitalize on their chances in the dying stages of the match.
For the Central Coast side contributions were outstanding across the park.
Michelle Heyman was extremely happy to get the win and saw her hat trick as an added bonus.
“I-m really happy to finally get that hat trick, I-m disappointed that I missed that one on one.
“I-ve never played in heat like that before it definitely slowed us down but I-m so proud of the girls of how we stuck to our plan and played the ball round,” Heyman said.
Demonstrating the focus that has been a trademark of the Mariners women all season Roche was already focusing on next week.
“It-s going to be a tough game against Melbourne, but I-m enjoying our underdog status,” said Roche.
Roche was very happy with the win and was impressed with the free kick of Fletcher.
“She does practice kicks like that before training and after when we-re trying to bag the balls up and go home. I-m not surprised she nailed it.
“I-m very happy with the result but disappointed we couldn-t pinch that last goal. A coach is never satisfied,” Roche said.
The Mariners- Westfield W-League side is next in action next Saturday, 21 November when it takes on Melbourne Victory at Leichhardt Oval as part of a double header also involving Sydney FC-s clash with Perth Glory. Kick-off is at 5:45pm.
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Match Details
Central Coast Mariners: 1. Jilian LOYDEN, 2. Caitlin COOPER , (5.Jessica SEAMAN 55-) 3. Lyndsay GLOHE ,4. Rachael DOYLE , 8. Kelly GOLEBIOWSKI , (16. Jenna KINGSLEY 71-) , 9. Renee ROLLASON , (7. Teresa POLIAS 63-) ,10. Kendall FLETCHER , 11. Michelle HEYMAN , 12. Samantha SPACKMAN 14. Ashleigh Connor ,19. Lydia VANDENBERGH
Unused Subs 20. Rachel COOPER (GK)
Yellow Cards None
Red Cards None
Goals Heyman 23-, 40-, 59-, Connor 45-, Fletcher 50-, Vandenbergh 73-
Adelaide United: 1.Sian MCLAREN, 3. Renee HARRISON, 6. Thomai KEZIOS, 7. Racheal QUIGLEY, 12. Katerina BEXIS, (21. Greta FRENCH – KENNEDY 71-) 11. Georgia CHAPMAN ,14. Donna COCKAYNE (13. Lauren CHILVERS 63- ) , 15. Tenneille BOALER , 16. Christina PAPAGEORGIOU (c) 17. Karina ROWETH 18. Rochelle KUHAR (19.Nenita BURGESS 46-)
Unused Subs 20. Kristy HARVEY (GK)
Yellow Cards Roweth 16-, Harrison 74-
Red Cards None
Goals None
Referee Lee COREY/Stacey SASOPOLOUS.
