Central Coast Mariners 2-1 Canberra United
By Alice de Koster-Kitto 29/4/25
Above: The Mariners and their fans after winning the Elimination Final against Canberra. Photo: Central Coast Mariners
After yesterday’s match at Industree Group Stadium was called off due to a waterlogged pitch, Central Coast Mariners and Canberra United have gone head to head in a heated elimination final, determining which of these sides will earn their place in the Ninja A-League 2024/35 season semi-final.
The Mariners defence made themselves known early on, catching Michelle Heyman offside in what would’ve been a great first chance for Canberra in the third minute.
The gravity of the match aided itself to the physicality on the pitch, which made for an exhilarating and unpredictable meeting. The match established itself as a memorable and aggressive one, with unwavering determination at both ends, when a poorly timed side tackle on Izzy Gomez earned Darcey Malone an early yellow card, the first of many risky moves made throughout the evening.
A tight shot from Brooke Nunn marked the first real chance of the match, although the strike ended just off target.
Canberra United dominated the ball in the first half, holding 66% of possession, although they could not seem to turn it into a goal, or even a strong opportunity for quite some time. Their first real chance came from a shot from Michelle Heyman in the 27th minute. While on target, the strike was not strong enough to break the shield of Sarah Langman.
The Mariners quickly responded to this Canberra chance, with an attempt from Izzy Gomez, that while an impressive strike, ended just wide.
Just as it was looking to be a half-time stalemate, the 43rd minute saw Canberra United finally actualise their dominance, as Michelle Heyman opened the scoring, assisted by Sofia Christopherson. The goal marks Heymans eighth of the season, as well as Christopherson’s first Ninja A-League assist.
The visitors’ confidence was restored by their less as they desperately looked to double their lead before the break, with two consecutive strikes from Sofia Christopherson and Mary Stanic-Floody, were cleverly saved by Mariners keeper Sarah Langman , during additional time.
Though there were quite a few last minute chances at both ends during additional time, another goal was not to be found, leaving Canberra United in the lead at the break.
Central Coast wasted no time in response to Canberra’s lead, with Jade Penncok equalising just one minute into the second half, with a shot from inside the penalty area, off an Annabel Martin header.
The hosts maintained their dominance throughout the remainder of the match, holding 70% of the possession, a monumental turn-around from their first half performance.
Although there was no lack of action at any point, there was a noticeable decline in the amount of shots as opposed to the first half. While this shift was a testament to the strong defensive lines of both these teams, it did pose the question, would this critical match manage to find a winning goal?
Canberra United almost reclaimed their lead in the 70th minute, when a foul on Aideen Keene, by Annalise Rassmussen, awarded the visitors a free kick in a dangerous area. Bethany Gordons strike, however, ended too wide.
It was Central Coast Mariners who found the leading goal, finding the back of the net for the second time, when Jade Pennocks shot from distance, earnt the English striker a brace.
After seven minutes of added time, a shift in tactics from Canberra United, and multiple last minute attempts at both ends, a final goal was not to be found, leaving Central Coast Mariners victorious, as they earned their way to a home semi-final.
The result marks the end of Canberra United’s season, as they close out what has been a wonderful campaign.
Next weekend will see Central Coast Mariners host Melbourne City in the Ninja A-League 2024/25 semi-final at Industree Group Stadium, in what is set to be an exhilarating afternoon of football, and the most important meeting of the Mariners campaign thus far.
Teams: CENTRAL COAST MARINERS: (4-3-3): Langman, Nash, Martin, Pennock, Gaelic, Ray, Rasmussen, Fuller, King, Nunn Substitutes: Carmichael, Rowe, Kraszula, Puxty, Trimis, Evans
Scorers: Pennock 46’ , 74’
CANBERRA UNITED (4-4-2): James, Ayson, Stanic-Floody, Rivers, Taylor-Young, Christopherson, Keane, Heyman, Malone, Bertolissio, Gordon Substitutes: McKenzie, Murray, Dos Santos, Markovski, Majstorovic
Scorers: Heyman 43’
Referee: Izzy Cooper
Attendance: 1,502.
impetusfootball.org 