Central Coast Mariners picked up another huge three points in the Liberty A-League on Saturday, defeating Finals-hopefuls Brisbane Roar away from home thanks to goals from Wurigumula and Kyah Simon.
The victory makes it three wins on the bounce for Emily Husband’s side, the first time they have achieved that feat this season, hitting our best form at a crucial stage of the season as we seek to secure a Finals spot, which could be mathematically confirmed next week, as we take on Canberra United at Our Paradise.
Mariners took the game away from Brisbane with goals just minutes apart, either side of half time, as Wurigumula struck her seventh of the season on 45 minutes and Simon made it 2-0 within two minutes of second half kick-off. Annabel Martin was our lead creator, the full-back claiming two fine assists.
In an evenly-contested first half that saw Roar edge possession (52% – 48%), but Mariners see more goal-mouth action (6 shots vs Brisbane’s 4 and 3 on target vs 2), both sides best moments of the half came in the final 10 minutes before the break.
Firstly, Roar’s Mia Corbin squandered a golden opportunity, missing the target from close range on 36 minutes.
On 40 minutes, Bianca Galic’s anticipation gave her a golden chance to open the scoring, after reading a loose ball across the Brisbane defence our number eight fired a powerful effort at goal, there really wasn’t much more she could do with the strike, denied by the save of the half from Jordan Silkowitz.
There was nothing Silkowitz could do minutes later though as the deadlock was broken on the stroke of half time, Wurigumula diverting a delicious cross from Martin into the bottom corner to give us a 1-0 lead at the break.
A delightful ball into the penalty area from Martin! 💫
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) March 9, 2024
The perfect first touch finish from Wurigumula! 💥
Our number nine's seventh goal of the season gives us the advantage at the break! 👊#CCMFC #BRIvCCM #BeOurMate pic.twitter.com/kpg1GLRtFR
Whatever Husband’s message was at half time, it worked wonders. The Mariners could not have asked for a better start to the second half as we struck less than two minutes after the restart. Simon coolly slotted home after some tidy work from Martin in the box.
🎯 Our @TheMatildas superstar @KyahSimon with a clinical finish to make it 2-0!
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) March 9, 2024
Make that 2️⃣ goals in 3️⃣ starts since returning from injury! How good it is to have her back! 🤩#CCMFC #BRIvCCM #BeOurMatepic.twitter.com/hXLFNdfexD
Wurigumula came closest to a third but the Mariners saw out a 2-0 win, temporarily going second in the Liberty A-League, but were almost instantly put back to third by Sydney FC’s evening victory over league leaders Western.
Emily Husband’s side return to Our Paradise next Sunday, as bottom-of-the-table Canberra United are the visitors for our penultimate Liberty A-League home match of the season.
Just over one day left to place your bids for match worn and signed Pink Round jersey's from last weekend! 💕
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) March 9, 2024
Bid now 🛍: https://t.co/Od1QsmDyIr#CCMFC #BeOurMate pic.twitter.com/mXHkWjVtks
