Adelaide United 1-0 Central Coast Mariners
By Isabelle Campbell 8/3/25
Above: Adelaide United celebrating Erin Healy’s goal. Photo: Adelaide United
Adelaide United extended their history-making unbeaten run in a tight 1-0 win against the Central Coast Mariners at Coopers Stadium.
Adelaide United looked to capitalize on a home advantage as they hosted Central Coast Mariners at Coopers Stadium in a Ninja A-League clash. The hosts came into the match unbeaten in 10 league games, a club record, while the Mariners were aiming to bounce back from a 2-1 defeat to Western Sydney Wanderers and end their three-game winless run.
To celebrate International Women’s Day, the home players took to the pitch hand in hand with their mothers and other influential women in their lives. The women’s match also headlined the event, taking the later slot in a double-header with the men. The match also marked a special milestone for Matilda McNamara, as she made her 50th appearance for Adelaide United, her hometown club.
The Mariners started strong, with Peta Trimis immediately driving toward goal and getting a shot away, though it was just off target, sparing Adelaide United from an early upset. At the other end, Jessika Nash came up with a crucial block to deny the goal scoring form of Erin Healy.
The visitors continued to press, with Sarah Rowe testing Claudia Jenkins from distance, but the Adelaide keeper was up to the task. A throw-in deep in attack gave Brooke Nunn a chance to strike, only for Jenkins to deny her. Less than a minute later, Nunn threatened again, but once more, Jenkins stood firm.
Adelaide had their own opportunities, with Sarah Langman making an important save to keep out Healy, who rose highest to meet Sarah Morgan’s cross. Healy then came close again, firing a powerful shot just wide.
A foul on Healy by Shadeene Evans gave Adelaide a free kick in a dangerous area, but they couldn’t capitalize. Chelsie Dawber later found herself with a golden chance, making a breaking run through the centre and getting a foot to the ball, but Langman made a crucial intervention to divert its path.
Taylor Ray had a shot from a corner, but her effort sailed just over the bar. Evans found herself in the referee’s book after a foul on Lucia León.
Despite plenty of attacking intent from both sides, the teams went into halftime with the scoresheet still nameless, though the Mariners looked ever so slightly, the more dangerous in front of goal.
Breaking the deadlock early on in the second half, Erin Healy did what she does best, scoring her sixth goal of the season to give Adelaide United the lead. Dawber soon looked to double the advantage, but her effort was ruled offside.
The Mariners’ task became even harder when Shadeene Evans was shown a second yellow card and sent off for a poorly timed challenge on Emily Hodgson. Down to 10 players and a goal behind, the Mariners faced an uphill battle.
Dawber had another chance to extend Adelaide’s lead, but her powerful shot was again called offside.
The Mariners came close to equalizing when Tiana Fuller had a great opportunity, but her attempt just missed the target. The visitors continued to push with several good shots on goal, both from open play and set pieces, but couldn’t find the back of the net.
Nash put in a crucial defensive block against Dawber to deny a second goal and keep the Mariners in the game. With seven minutes of added time, the Mariners threw everything forward in search of an equalizer, but Adelaide held firm to secure the win.
The win extended Adelaide’s record-breaking unbeaten streak to 11 games and pushed them into second place on the table, with Melbourne Victory still to play this round.
The next round of the Ninja A-League will see Adelaide travel to face Melbourne City, while the Mariners return home to take on Perth Glory and pick up some much needed points.
Teams: ADELAIDE UNITED (3-4-3): Jenkins, E. Hodgson, León, McNamara, Tonkin, Tolland, Morgan, Holmes, Healy, Condon, Dawber. Substitutes: Karambasis, Sasaki, Dewey, Panagaris, Melegh.
Goals: Healy 50’
CENTRAL COAST MARINERS (4-4-2): Langman, Seaman, Nash, Martin, Gomez, Pennock, Ray, Rowe, Nunn, Trimis, Evans. Substitutes: Carmichael, Rasmussen, Fuller, Quilligan, Hughes.
Referee: Izzy Cooper
Attendance: 8,582.
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