Western United 2-1 Central Coast Mariners
By Kieran Yap 3/2/24
Western United have continued their march up the ladder with a 2-1 win against Central Coast Mariners despite some late scares in front of goal.
Kat Smith’s side arrived in Hobart as the hosts and looking to continue their strong form that has seen them only lose once since mid-December. Central Coast had experienced some inconsistent results, but have been in strong form and after welcoming back Kyah Simon to the squad last week they suddenly looked even stronger on paper.
The match itself began in frantic style. Western United captain and Philippines international Jaclyn Sawicki opened the scoring in just the second minute with a close range effort past Sarah Langman. The midfielder has been deployed further forward in her second season at the club and has been coming closer to scoring each week. She received the ball wide in the panelty area and cut inside the first defender before sending the ball into the back of the net with relative ease.
The Mariners looked surprised to concede so early, but responded almost instantly. Rola Badawiya reacted quickest to a partially blocked strike and slotted the ball past Hillary Beall. Six minutes had been played and the score was 1-1.
Each side had their potential game breakers. Badwiya continued to threaten throughout the half, and the dangerous striker had a goal disallowed for a foul on Grace Maher after a push in the back sent the defender to the turf.
At the other end, Chloe Logazro was looking ominous. Her freedom in attack allowed her to create chances and get on the end of some. Her lunging volleyed effort had a high degree of difficulty, but the Australian international is capable of scoring from those opportunities.
Western United re-took the lead before half time. Adriana Taranto’s long range strike bounced off the crossbar and Hannah Keane was able to control the shot, hold off a challenge and blast the ball into the net to make it 2-1.
Central Coast searched aggressively for an equaliser in the second half. Isabel Gomez and Bianca Galic were tireless throughout and Peta Trimis continued to scheme in midfield, but chances became scarcer as the afternoon wore on.
Both teams were looking for that extra goal and the substitutions reflected two managers with attack on their mind. Kahli Johnson was brought on for Western United, while Emily Husband played her enviable trump card by introducing Kyah Simon and Shay Evans into the fray.
Both strikers made an impact. Evans’ pace almost put her in on goal after some neat interplay at the edge of the box, and Simon had a headed chance narrowly miss before a late first time effort was hit at Beall.
The Mariners attacking display was worthy of at least a point, but the game was managed in professional and at time cynical style by Western United with Stacey Papadopoulos tugging back Anabelle Martin to prevent a late breakaway.
The win saw Western jump up to second on the ladder, they still trail Melbourne City by at least three points, but are above Sydney FC based on having won more matches this season.
Next up, Kat Smith’s side faces a dangerous Brisbane Roar, while Central Coast Mariners will host Melbourne Victory in Gosford.
Lineups:
Western United 3-5-2: Beall, Cerne, Maher, Dakic, Papadopoulos, A Taranto, Sawicki, M Taranto, Hieda, Logarzo, Keane. Substitutes: Johnson, Prakash, Sardo, Dall’ Oste, Robers
Scorers: Sawicki 2’ Keane 28’
Central Coast Mariners 4-2-3-1: Langman, Bryson, Karambasis, Irwin, Wardlow, Gomez, Galic, Badawiya, Trimis, Hayward, Wurigumula. Substitutes: Martin, Rasmussen, Simon, Evans, Dumont.
Scorer: Badawiya 6’
Referee: Isabella Blaess
Attendance: TBC
Follow Impetus ’71 on social media –
Twitter (X): @impetusfootball and @impetus71 TikTok: @Impetus71 Facebook: @Impetus71
Instagram: @Impetus_71 Threads: @Impetus_71
impetusfootball.org 