Central Coast Mariners 2-1 Canberra United
By Alyce Collett 30/11/24
Above: Tianna Fuller celebrates her goal for Central Coast Photo: A-Leagues
The Central Coast Mariners have come from behind to defeat Canberra United two goals to one in Gosford.
Despite Canberra dominating much of the match and being rewarded with a roaring strike from Maja Markovski, two goals in five minutes from substitutes Tiana Fuller and Shadeene Evans helped the Mariners get the win.
The first half left the Mariners ruing missed opportunities, and Canberra went on to make them pay.
It was a pretty free flowing match early, with a lot of end to end football happening and both defences holding up really well.
Canberra did have more of the possession though but could not get their angles in front of goal quite right. However the Mariners had the first decent shot on goal, earning a penalty after Jade Pennock was brought down by Liz Anton in the box, but the subsequent penalty was easily saved by Sally James.
After the penalty though it was like conceding the penalty lit a fire under Canberra, who then really took control of the game and had more of the momentum, led by the efforts of the likes of Aideen Keane and Ruby Nathan. However Sarah Langman, Jess Nash and the rest of the Mariners defensive group really stood up to ensure nothing came of the several Canberra shots on goal.
Jade Pennock and Peta Trimis were trying their hardest to spark something for the home side though, but to no avail.
As the half progressed, proceedings evened up, but just as it was looking like things would remain scoreless at half time, Markovski let a shot rip from the top corner of the 18 yard box, which then sailed past Langman and into the back of the net to give those in green the lead.
Canberra almost had another goal with minutes to go in the half, but Emma Robers skewed her shot just wide of the net.
The starkest stat at half time was the shot numbers, with Canberra having 14 shots (with five on target) compared to the Mariners three (with one of those being on target).
The second half was full of surprises.
As the wet conditions worsened to begin the second half, both sides had their chances in front of goal but neither could convert. Canberra had the best of the chances early, having a couple of successive strong chances, but Langman was up to the task and kept the ball out.
As the half progressed towards its halfway point Canberra started to reassert its dominance on the game, and continued to pepper the goals but to no avail.
However, just as questions were starting to be raised about the Mariners and how they might get back into the match, 16-year-old Fuller, who was on debut and had only been on the field for about five minutes after being subbed on for Annalise Rasmussen, stood up and belted a shot into the bottom corner from a few metres out to give the home side an equaliser.
Only minutes later the Mariners had their second after Evans snuck one past James and all of a sudden the script of the match had been totally flipped.
Despite now being a goal down, Canberra did not give up their pursuit of a second goal, continuing to rack up the shots on goal. However, as hard as the visitors tried they were unable to get themselves a second goal, and ultimately ran out of time to equal up proceedings.
Teams: CENTRAL COAST MARINERS (4–4–2):Langman, Riley, Irwin, Nash, Martin, Pennock, Galic, Ray, Rasmussen, Nunn, Trimis. Substitutes: Carmichael, Fuller, Quilligan, McMahon, Evans.
Scorers: Fuller 62’, Evans 68’.
CANBERRA UNITED (3–5–2): James, Anton, Taylor-Young, McKenzie, Nathan, Robers, Stanic-Floody, Malone, Ayson, Markovski, Keane. Substitutes: Bertolissio, Christopherson, Majstorovic, Murray, Dos Santos.
Scorer: Markovski 38’.
Referee: Mikayla Ryan
Attendance: 723
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