Central Coast Mariners 1-1 Melbourne Victory
By Isabelle Campbell (23/11/24)
Above: Melbourne Victory captain Kayla Morrison with a fan post-game. Photo: Melbourne Victory.
Melbourne Victory remained cool, calm, and collected under the pressure of the Central Coast Mariners’ early lead and came out with a point after a gripping draw.
The Mariners held the lead for most of the match, courtesy of academy graduate Annalise Rasmussen’s early strike, but a late free-kick from Victory saw captain Kayla Morrison ensure the points were shared.
The match kicked off with Melbourne Victory pressing forward, and Emily Gielnik came close in just the eighth minute with a promising shot that went off target. Just four minutes later, the Mariners struck gold when Rasmussen unleashed a spectacular long-range strike, assisted by Brooke Nunn. Victory struggled to respond, with Alana Jančevski and Isabel Gomez both sending efforts wide of the target.
Victory controlled possession for much of the first half, holding 74% in a 15-minute spell, but Central Coast’s defence stood firm. In the final minutes of the half, Courtney Newbon denied Rasmussen a second goal, and Brianne Riley blocked Gielnik’s attempt to level the score.
Taylor Ray was a standout for the Mariners, looking comfortable amongst her new teammates, consistently controlling the tempo of the game, and showcasing incredible distribution from the midfield.
Despite four minutes of added time, the Mariners maintained their 1–0 lead at the break whilst Jeff Hopkins’ side headed in to reevaluate their tactics and return to the game with their intentions set on improving upon their first-half performance.
Victory did, in fact, come out stronger in the second half, and Alex Chidiac would have equalised had Jessika Nash not made a crucial block to deny her. The Mariners held firm despite Victory’s relentless possession.
The game grew more physical as desperation set in. Alana Murphy received the first yellow card of the game for a blatant shirt pull, handing over a free kick though it didn’t come to anything.
Substitute Sara D’Appolonia had an immediate impact on her side’s attack, firing a shot that was blocked by the Mariners’ defence.
Tensions mounted when Ellie Wilson fouled Gomez, earning a yellow card and forcing Gomez off the field due to injury. Peta Trimis came on to replace her.
Despite a tense third quarter of the match, neither side created any clear-cut chances, with a dangerous cross from Gielnik that almost caused an own goal for the Mariners being the closest call.
In the final ten minutes, Victory found their momentum—or perhaps desperation to avoid dropping points. Jade Pennock fouled Chidiac, conceding a free kick in a prime position. Jančevski sent the ball in and defender Claudia Bunge picked it up as it bounced about the area, delivering it to the head of Morrison who headed it in, bringing her side to equalise in the 83rd minute.
The Mariners fought back, earning a free kick in added time after Bianca Galic was fouled by Laura Pickett, but the chance went begging, and the whistle blew with the score locked at 1–1.
This result places the Central Coast in fifth place on the ladder following their third draw of the season while Victory remain at a comfortable third place.
Round Five of the Ninja A-League will be split across two weekends due to the upcoming international break. November 30th will see the Central Coast Mariners take on Canberra United at home while Melbourne Victory will be travelling to the West Coast to take on Perth Glory on 8th December.
Teams: MELBOURNE VICTORY (4-3-3): Newbon, Wilson, Bunge, Goad, Murphy, Chidiac, Flannery, Gielnik, Morrison, Lowe, Jančevski. Substitutes: O’Grady, D’Appolonia, Briedis, Pickett, Candy.
Scorer: Morrison 85’.
CENTRAL COAST MARINERS (4-3-3): Langman, Riley, Irwin, Nash, Martin, Gomez, Pennock, Galic, Ray, Rasmussen, Nunn. Substitutes: Carmichael, Quilligan, Puxty, Trimis, Evans.
Scorer: Rasmussen 12’.
Referee: Georgia Ghirardello.
Attendance: 1,238.
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