Central Coast Mariners 0-1 Melbourne Victory
by Emma Burke (11/4/25)
Above: Melbourne Victory celebrate an important win thanks to Claudia Bunge (3)’s goal. Photo: Melbourne Victory.
Melbourne Victory have kept their premiership hopes alive after defeating Central Coast Mariners 1-0 at Industree Group Stadium.
A solitary goal scored by New Zealand international Claudia Bunge was the difference between the two sides.
Alex Chidiac’s corner delivery was a left-footed inswinger that was perfectly placed for Bunge at the back post. The Football Ferns star did well to shake off her defender in Sarah Rowe and nod the ball into the back of the net.
Central Coast remained their own worst enemy for the evening; a single point from this fixture would have secured them a finals berth, as every shot they took was unable to be converted.
Two good chances came to Englishwoman Jade Pennock during the first half, with one shot being sent straight into the boot of Victory keeper Courtney Newbon and another going over the bar.
The visitors received a late scare to their success when it looked like a penalty could have been awarded because of Alana Murphy taking down Brooke Nunn right on the edge of the box.
The result was a free kick on the edge of the area for Central Coast that turned into a shot from Annabel Martin but was sent directly into the keeper.
While the Mariners may have lost the game, they did see the return of their long-term captain Taren King, who had been absent from football for over 450 days with an ACL injury.
This result leaves the Premiers Plate up for contention in the final round of the season, with Victory’s only hope of winning it comes with a catch: they have to win their final game at home to Brisbane Roar, and Melbourne City have to lose their first game in the League all season when they travel to Perth Glory.
Teams: CENTRAL COAST MARINERS (4-4-2): Langman, Rowe, Nash, Ray, Martin, Pennock, Kraszula, Gomez, Trimis, Nunn, Rasmussen. Substitutes: Fuller, King, Evans
MELBOURNE VICTORY (4-4-2): Newbon, Jancevski, Morrison, Bunge, Wilson, Chidiac, Murphy, D’Appolonia, Flannery, Gielnik, Lowe. Substitutes: Furphy, Pickett
Scorers: Bunge 58′.
Referee: Page Malau-Aduli.
Attendance: 826.
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