Central Coast Mariners 1-0 Wellington Phoenix
By Jonathon Hagger (26/01/2024)
Above: Tianna Fuller strikes the winning goal for Central Coast Mariners. Photo: A-Leagues
Central Coast Mariners leapfrogged the Phoenix to re-enter the top six with this vital win at Woy Woy Oval today.
To the untrained eye, the opening minutes of the match may have appeared to have been unappealing but for the avid football fan, it was an interesting eight minutes as neither team were able to establish dominance. The quality of most passing and execution was right from the outset. Repeatedly though, the final passes for each team went astray with no real scoring opportunities being created.
That changed in the fifteenth minute when the Mariners went coast to coast off a well placed long ball reached Rasmussen who laid off a perfectly weighted ball to Fuller who unleashed a shot but the Phoenix keeper, Vilao, safely collected the ball.
With both teams’ attack being annulled by the other teams’ midfield a shift of intent happened from the twentieth minute with each side applying high press coverage and attempting to cut through with long passes along the pitch out wide and trying to get over the top. Neither team were really able to worry the opposition.
The 37th minute opened up the first chance for a goal to be scored as a very poor clearance by the Phoenix inside their sixteen years box was fluffed. Following a run right through the middle of the Phoenix by the Mariners midfielder Taylor Ray, defender Jaber tried to layoff a soft pass to her goalkeeper, but Vilao wasn’t expecting it, with Jaber receiving the ball straight back again and resorting to putting the ball out for a corner.
The Phoenix’s first real chance of scoring came about in the 44th minute as attacker Elliot created space on the left-hand wing, and crossed for the waiting Grace Jale who was well placed just on the outside of the six yard box, however the attacker was unable to get the right angle on her kick resulting in the the ball sailing well over the top of the Mariners goal.
With half time approaching both teams decided to up the ante in the additional minutes with each team creating chances to score. The 47th minute mistake by the Mariners of not clearing the ball well, resulted in attacker Jale receiving the ball and being able to pass to an unmarked Fergusson, but as she attempted to get the ball onto her shooting foot, Mariners goalkeeper Langman stretched her body to its full extent and managed to block the shot.
Coming back after half time both sides ratcheted up the energy levels and signs of enthusiasm. It didn’t take long for Central Coast to create space on the right wing through Fuller, whose cross into the penalty area bounced perfectly for an attacking player to score, but unfortunately for the Mariners, their attackers were not in a position to take advantage.
The first goal of the match came in the 53rd minute for the Mariners off a run by Nunn who was central on the pitch, beat her marker, and passed to Fuller. A Hail Mary shot on goal from 20 metres out drifted over the head of the Phoenix goalkeeper, bounced off the the woodwork of the far post and into the net.
The Phoenix countered with some impressive setup passes from Whinham to Elliot then on to Fergusson, deep in the Mariners area, who found herself in a one on one challenge with the Mariners goalkeeper. But central defender Taylor Ray was able to use her speed and agility to cut inside Fergusson, dislodging the ball which was collected by the keeper.
It was at this time that something clicked for the Phoenix. Repeated corner opportunities from the hour mark allowed them to really apply pressure on the Mariners. Sadly for the Phoenix no goals were forthcoming, but that intent could be seen in the Phoenix defenders, Barry and Jaber, moving a lot higher up the pitch and putting themselves into space. Very much an ‘all hands on deck’ strategy.
Five minutes from the end, the visitors created an excellent opportunity with some classy passing and four attacking players in the 18-yard box but the Mariners stood up to the challenge posting seven defenders plus the goalkeeper. Once again, defender Ray came to the rescue and put the ball out for an offensive corner for the Phoenix. In the same way the other corners played out, the Phoenix were unable to find a way to score.
Three minutes into added time, the Mariners almost added a second when Jade Pennock struck a beautiful pass into the goal area looking for Shadeene Evans, but high-quality defensive work from Jaber cleared the danger.
Teams: CENTRAL COAST MARINERS (4-3-3): Willacy, Rowe, Nash, Ray, Martin, Quilligan (78’), Nunn, Galic, Pennick, Rasmussen (69’), Fuller (86’). Substitutes: Carmichael, Trimis (78’), Evans (69’), Kraszula, Seaman (86’).
Scorers: Fuller 53′.
WELLINGTON PHOENIX (3-4-3): Vilao, Jaber, Barry, Kelly, Elliot, Wall (86’), McCutcheon, Longo, Whinham (74’), Jale, Fergusson (69’). Substitutes: Fienberg-Danielli, McMeeken (86’), Brazendale, Main (69’), Ingham (74’).
Referee: Rachel Mitchenson.
Attendance: 721.
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