Wellington Phoenix 1-2 Central Coast Mariners
By Kieran Yap 13/1/24
Above: The Mariners celebrate the win against Wellington. Photo: Central Coast Mariners.
An third minute Emma Main goal was not enough for Wellington Phoenix to overcome a Peta Trimis inspired Central Coast Mariners.
A tough and tightly contested game was highlighted by three well taken goals, with Main opening the scoring for The Phoenix in just the third minute. Casey Dumont’s clearance was charged down by the onrushing and high pressing Wellington attackers and when the ball eventually fell to Main, she made no mistake with the finish.
As the match evolved, neither side wanted to give an inch, The Mariners we’re happy to concede fouls rather than let the speedy Phoenix attackers get loose, but at times the trickery and movement of Mariana Speckmaier proved too much to handle.
Central Coast’s prodigious attacker Peta Trimis grew into the game and became a menacing presence with her direct running and strong decision making in the final third. Her ability to twist and accelerate quickly made her’s one of the most eye catching performances of the evening.
Despite the promising start by Wellington, the result effectively turned before half time. Roma Badawiya levelled the scores in the 23rd minute with a brilliant solo effort.
After receiving the ball wide of the goal, the Mariners striker shifted feet and changed direction quickly to create space and then closed in on goal before sliding the ball beyond Rylee Foster.
Just over 10 minutes later, Trimis had one herself after completing a swift attacking move to give the Mariners a 2-1 lead.
The Young Matilda almost up up a third late in the game, but Foster was able to smother Annaliese Rasmussen attempt at goal after the perfectly timed pass had set her free.
Trimis’s early season form recently earned her a call up to the Australian Under 20 side and she showed glimpses of her strong potential in the 3-1 loss against China. Since returning from national team duty the winger has seemingly gone up another level again. Against The Phoenix she announced herself as the latest rising star of this competition.
This was an impressive result by the Mariners and backed up by another encouraging performance. They have steel and creativity with the likes of Bianca Galic able to add goal threat to their wpl established midfield presence.
It was not all bad news for the Phoenix either. This was a winnable game and they will be frustrated by the result and the Mariners ability to disrupt their game plan, but this is not a form dip by Paul Temple’s team.
They still found ways to threaten and with Alyssa Whinham returning to the starting lineup for the first time in over a year. They are adding yet another weapon to an arsenal that already includes Speckmaier, Michaela Foster and Macey Fraser.
The rest of the season appears promising for both sides.
Teams
Wellington Phoenix: R Foster, McMeeken, Barry, Lake, Fraser, Longo, Taylor, M Foster, Main, Whinham, Speckmaier. Substitutes: Brown, Breslin, Davidson, Feinberg-Danieli, Jaber.
Scorer: Main 3’
Central Coast Mariners: Dumont, Bryson, Irwin, Karambasis, Wardlow, Badawiya, Gomez, Trimis, Galic, Evans, Wurigumula. Substitutes: Hayward, Martin, Rasmussen, Lobo, Langman.
Scorers: Badawiya 23’ Trimis 34’
Referee: Bec Mackie
Attendance: 1198
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