Melbourne City 3-0 Central Coast Mariners
By Kieran Yap 23/3/24
Above: Taylor Otto seals the game for Melbourne City. Photo: Melbourne City.
Melbourne City kept their title hopes alive with a 3-0 win over the Central Coast Mariners. Goals to Hannah Wilkinson, Emina Ekic and Taylor Otto mean that if results go their way tomorrow and in Round 22, they can still finish on top of the ladder.
Junior Matilda Shelby McMahon was the driving force behind City’s first goal. Her determined run on the left and follow up after Leticia Mckenna was stopped in the box gave Wilkinson an easy finish from point blank range.
Rebekah Stott’s adventure forward earned her team a penalty kick and Emins Ekic had City 2-0 up before half an hour was played.
The Mariners were given a lifeline when Wurigumula was fouled in the box, but Kyah Simon’s spot kick went wide with Barbara beaten.
The Brazilian goalkeeper was called into action again when Faye Bryson took a chance from long range. The shot looked headed for the top corner but for the top class save from the former Olympian.
Other than a few chances, City were effectively in control of the match, looking to kill the game off, Dario Vidosic introduced Rhianna Pollicina to the attack, and the skilful playmaker set up the sealer with a perfect square ball for Taylor Otto to finish.
The loss had little impact on the Mariners ladder position. Victory’s loss to Newcastle means that Emily Husband’s side remain in fourth. It does mean that their hot run of form has come to a halt.
For City, it was a comprehensive win against a potential Grand Final contender and a second clean sheet in a row while scoring. Importantly, they remain a chance to win the premiership, although they need Sydney FC to lose their three games in hand to make that happen.
The major prize in the A-League Women remains the Grand Final and if City has rediscovered their scoring touch heading into finals, that could reinstate them as one of the favourites to lift the trophy. Their game plan is well known, but they have depth, mobility and creativity.
Next week, it will be a homecoming for the Mckenna sisters as City travel to Perth to finish off the home and away season.
Lineups:
Melbourne City: Barbara, Henry, Otto, Stott, Roestbakken, Hughes, Davidson, Ekic, McMahon, L Mckenna, Wilkinson. Substitutes: Chinnama, Grosso, Pollicina, Galic, Barbieri.
Scorers: Wilkinson 24′ Ekic 28′ Otto 87′
Central Coast Mariners: Langman, Wardlow, Martin, Karambasis, Irwin, Gomez, Simon, Galic, Bryson, Badawiya, Wurigumula. Substitutes: Trimis, Dumont, Karrys-Stahl, Rasmussen, Hayward.
Referee: Kate Jacewicz
Attendance: TBC
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