Central Coast Mariners 3-1 Sydney FC
by Isabelle Campbell (2/11/24)
Above: Celebration time for the Mariners today. Photo: Ninja A-League.
In an exciting season opener at Industree Group Stadium, Central Coast Mariners showcased their dominance with a 3-1 victory against Sydney FC. Despite an even share of the possession, the Mariners were the team to effectively capitalise on their opportunities, while Sydney struggled to convert their chances.
The first game of the season for the two sides taking place at Industree Group Stadium was not an easy one to predict. With both teams having a nearly even number of head to head wins, this promised to be another closely contested encounter.
Faye Bryson and Taylor Ray added a level of drama to the game having essentially swapped teams following last season, each able to bring unique insights from their former side into the game.
After heartbreakingly tearing her ACL in the opening game of last season, Nat Tobin made an inspiring return to the pitch, stepping back into action for the first time since her season ending injury.
In the first half, Central Coast Mariners held most of the possession, controlling the tempo of the game and consistently pushing forward in search of an opening goal.
Despite their strong presence in midfield and a number of promising opportunities, both teams struggled to convert their chances into goals. The Mariners’ inability to find the back of the net was matched by the opposition as both sides searched for a crucial breakthrough.
In the 25th minute Sydney FC’s Mackenzie Hawkesby managed to place the ball in the net however moments later it was ruled offside.
The Mariners were awarded a penalty following a handball in the box by Millie Farrow. The penalty was comfortably converted into the first goal of the game by Jade Pennock, sending the ball flying past the presence of Sydney goalkeeper Brianna Edwards.
Going in at half-time the stats were all but equal with possession split essentially 50/50 as well as an even 3 shots on target for each of the sides.
Bianca Galic was subbed on for the Mariners at the beginning of the second half, replacing Shadeene Evans. This substitution later proved to make a positive impact on the game.
In the beginning minutes of the second half Sydney began to look like more of a threat as they began to hold the majority of the possession and take their chances on goal.
This boost for Sydney didn’t last long though as Mariners made it 2-0 with a strong and direct goal from 22-year-old Isabel Gomez to strengthen their lead.
Making an influential sub, Sydney brought on Princess Ibini in place of new signing Millie Farrow and just 10 minutes later she gave her side their opening goal.
In the dying minutes of the game, Bianca Galic closed the scoring and sealed her team the victory.
Though the stats show a relatively even matchup, it was the Central Coast Mariners who were able to pull through for a win at their home grounds in round one of the season.
Sydney FC will be looking to collect their first point next weekend when they face off against Brisbane Roar, meanwhile The Mariners will be hoping to claim a second win as they come head to head with Western United.
Teams: CENTRAL COAST MARINERS (4-3-3): Langman, Riley, Irwin, Nash, Martin, Gomez, Pennock, Ray, Nunn, Trimis, Evans. Substitutes: Morrissey, Galic, Rasmussen, Quilligan, Puxty
Scorers: Pennock (Pen) 41’, Gomez 62’, Galic 87’.
SYDNEY FC (4-3-3): Edwards, Tumeth, Tobin, Thompson, Bryson, Hollman, Lowry, Hawkesby, Connors, Farrow, Dos Santos. Substitutes: Franco, Chauvet, Ibini, Tallon-Henniker, Caspers
Goals: Ibini 83’.
Referee: Casey Reibelt
Attendance: 3,000.
Follow Impetus on social media –
Twitter (X): @impetusfootball TikTok: @impetusfootball
Instagram: @impetusfootball : @impetusfootball
impetusfootball.org 