Western Sydney Wanderers 3-0 Central Coast Mariners
by Jamie Spangher (8/12/23).
Above: Western Sydney Wanderers celebrate a goal in their statement victory over the Mariners Photo: Western Sydney Wanderers.
Western Sydney Wanderers showed impressive dominance in their 3-0 victory over Central Coast Mariners at Wanderers Football Park.
The fixture kicked off with an impressively even scrap, both sides remaining poised in defense despite the persistent press from both attacking frontlines. An arm wrestle from the outset, neither team were able to create an opening chance in the opening seven minutes as a result.
A searching strike from the Mariners forward Rola Badawinya opened up the action, though just flying wide of the right side despite a stretching effort from Shamiran Khamis. Khamis was tested again just minutes later, as she managed to palm away an unanswered cross from Annabel Martin.
Holding a majority of possession during the opening fifteen minutes, the Mariners continued to push forward in a threatening manner. Despite controlling the tempo from the outset, the side lacked conviction when it came to providing the final delivery inside the 18-yard box.
Tensions began to rise as a late challenge from Ash Irwin on Olivia Price saw her receive a yellow card, providing the Wanderers with a golden opportunity just outside of the 18 yard box. Though Price’s right-footed effort saw the free-kick land in the safe hands of Casey Dumont, the Mariners goalkeeper.
The Wanderers came again, with Cushla Rue evading the Mariners’ defence with precision, cutting past the yellow shirts before Dumont saved her shot on goal at the near post. An end-to-end transition saw Khamis put back to work, as Paige Hayward’s searching cross was left unanswered, Annalise Rasmussen’s late arrival leaving the open goal begging.
It was the opening minute of first-half stoppage time that saw an unmarked Sophie Harding head home Western Sydney’s first of the fixture, opening the evening’s scoresheet in what would be her fourth goal in three consecutive appearances for the Wanderers.
Despite holding the smaller side of the possession in the opening half (39%), Western Sydney headed into the break with a 1-0 lead.
The half-time break saw Rasmussen make way for Peta Trimis, fresh from Young Matildas duty in China. Trimis was looking to offer a dynamic quality to the Mariners’ frontline come the second half of play.
As the second half commenced, an experienced challenge by Martin saw Talia Younis denied on the edge of the box, the 15-year-old attempting to generate a chance for the Wanderers in the opening minutes.
Beginning to control the tempo despite their lack of possession in the first half, Western Sydney began to dictate the field of play with authority. A looping ball launched from the right-foot of Price saw a consequential deflection from Mariners captain Taren King amidst the goal line scuffle, allowing Western Sydney to double their advantage in the 53rd minute of play.
Despite trailing by two goals, Central Coast refused to roll over. The side continued to press with aggressive determination, earning a free-kick on the edge of the 18 yard box. Bianca Galic’s searching effort forced a crucial save from Khamis, the Wanderers goalkeeper having to provide an impressive stretching effort in order to push the strike out for a left-side corner.
Though the attacking prowess of the Wanderers proved far too overwhelming for the Mariners side. With Harding’s stellar form continuing to take exponential rise, the young forward flew the ball through the hands of Dumont to settle into the bottom right corner. Adding a brace to her evening account, and giving the Wanderers a 3-0 advantage heading into the game’s final stages.
Despite last-minute attempts to generate an attacking presence, the Mariners were unable to respond to the three-goal deficit provided by the home side.
Teams: WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS (3-2-3-2): Khamis, Bruce, Harrison, McComasky, Gordon, Price, Younis, Rue, Mates, Caspers, Harding. Substitutes: Feris, Keir, Morris, Abdul Massih, Collins.
Scorers: Harding 45+2’, 69’, King 54’ (OG)
CENTRAL COAST MARINERS (4-4-2): Dumont, Irwin, Hayward, Martin, Gomez, Galic, Badawiya, Rasmussen, Wardlow, King, Quilligam Substitutes: Langman, Wurigumula, Karrys-Stahl, Woodall, Trimis.
Referee: Casey Reibelt.
Attendance: TBC.
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