Central Coast Mariners 1-2 Perth Glory
by Ben Gilby (31/12/23).
Above: Millie Farrow leads the celebrations for Perth Glory at Central Coast Mariners today. Photo: Liberty A-League.
Two goals from Millie Farrow – her sixth in the last five A-League Women games – ensured Perth Glory returned to winning ways against a Central Coast Mariners side who will feel they should have taken something from the encounter.
Perth had the best of the possession in the opening exchanges and tellingly in the opening 20 minutes or so were able to spread the play which allowed their creative midfield weapons to get involved – something that both Western United and Sydney FC had largely shut down in their recent encounters with Alex Epakis’ side.
Glory hit the front with just seven minutes on the clock. The visitors were imposing a high line and it got its just reward. Former Perth keeper Sarah Langman played a short goal kick out to Taren King to the left-hand edge of the box, but under pressure from Grace Jale, King played the ball back towards Langman which Millie Farrow redirected into the net.
Perth’s high press of the Mariners when they were in possession combined with their domination of the possession continued with the home side sitting back and unable to force Morgan Aquino into making a save.
As the half hit the 25-minute mark, the hosts began to get a foothold into the game as they began to look to the flanks to develop their attacks. Rola Badawiya became more involved, and Bianca Galic forced Aquino into a straightforward save. Badawiya was then released by Faye Bryson, but her shot on goal was dealt with by the feet of Aquino.
There would be one further opportunity for the hosts before the break when Bryson was allowed to run through the left of centre channel and crack in a powerful shot that Aquino had to palm away.
The second half started in a similar way with Mariners seeing plenty of the ball and Badawiya calling Aquino into action with a long-range shot. Bryson also fired in an effort from the edge of the box that was blocked. Despite their increasing number of shots on goal and possession, Central Coast were not quite able to summon the necessary extra bit of magic or quality to break through. The threaded passes needed to unlock the Perth defence were missing, with the hosts relying on shots from distance.
Then 12 minutes into the second period, that threaded pass came after a move along the right from Bryson who fed Galic. Perth failed to clear in a short game of pinball around the near post before Badawiya forced the ball over the line, but Paige Haywood was in an offside position when she got an initial touch ahead of Badawiya and the goal was ruled out.
Galic and Bryson’s influence was increasing along the right flank and a further long-range effort rained in from Badawiya. However, the hosts were made to pay for their inability to turn possession into an equalising goal with 66 minutes played.
Tash Rigby’s throw on the right, parallel with the six-yard box found Jale who turned her way past two markers before returning the favour to Rigby who had acres of space to deliver a high ball towards the back post for an unmarked Farrow to head home.
Yet, just two minutes later, it was game on once more. Langman’s clearance found Bryson who threaded a pass into the stride of Badawiya entering the box to hit a first-time rocket into the net.
The Mariners pushed for an equaliser with a golden chance coming deep into stoppage time. Despite Peta Trimis’ run along the right and cross to the back pass for Wurigumula, the chance went begging. Overall, they just couldn’t find a telling pass to unlock the Western Australian side’s defence.
This was a game that Central Coast could have won with a bit more quality and creativity. Too many of their shots on goal were from distance and their two major defensive lapses were ruthlessly punished. Perth did something that all championship-challenging teams do – win despite being below their best.
This was an important win for Alex Epakis’ side – but they can’t afford to let future opponents have as many shots on goal as the Mariners did today – other sides will convert them.
Teams: CENTRAL COAST MARINERS (4-3-3): Langman, Bryson, Irwin, King, Wardlow, Gomez, Quilligan, Hayward, Galic, Wurigumula, Badawiya. Substitutes: Dumont (GK), Karambasis, Karrys-Stahl, Rusmussen, Trimis.
Scorers: Badawiya 68′.
PERTH GLORY (4-4-2): Aquino, Anton, Cowart, Mihocic, Rigby, Lowry, Cassidy, Dalton, Phonsongkham, Jale, Farrow. Substitutes: Cain, Quezada, James (GK), Johnston, Sakalis.
Scorers: Farrow 7′, 66′.
Referee: Kate Jacewicz.
Attendance: 5,130.
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