Melbourne City 4-0 Central Coast Mariners
by Alice de Koster-Kitto (8/11/25)
Above: Holly McNamara (far left) celebrates after scoring against the Central Coast Mariners. Photo: via A Leagues
Melbourne City have taken the points at ctrl:cyber Pitch this afternoon, in a heavyweight clash against Central Coast Mariners. The last time the reigning champions faced City was in a heated semi-final, where the Mariners beat the previously undefeated premiers to the grand final in a 1-0 defeat, causing the biggest upset of the season.
Melbourne City look to take home their first win of the season, as they came on to the pitch with full force, with something to prove, taking the first touches and holding the ball in the opening minutes.
The possession stayed fairly even across the pitch at the start, with Melbourne City slightly dominating; however, the Mariners did not make it easy for the hosts to cut through.
In an early opportunity, Malena Mires sent a dangerous ball to Taylor Otto, which looked like it may open the scoreline in favour of City, before Isabella Coco-Di Sipio snuck in behind and made a block before anything could come of the link-up.
A long-distance launch from Coco-Di Sipio almost saw the opening goal from the Mariners, which fell extremely close, but ultimately outside the net. The attempt lit a fire under the Mariners, as they immediately took more control of the ball.
Melbourne City got their first chance when Leticia McKenna took a free kick in a dangerous area, but it was headed away by Elizabeth Barwick-Grey.
Avaani Prakash has been impressive in her time so far with Mariners – remaining a standout this match following an excellent debut last week – as she made a number of blocks to hold off Melbourne City’s dangerous attack.
Aideen Keane took her chance in a challenge with keeper Sarah Langman, just one of many opportunities created by the 23-year-old, who has had an outstanding start to her Melbourne City campaign.
There was a lot of action and near misses on both sides, with excellent chances from Aideen Keane and Peta Trimis; however, the defensive line at both ends was too strong for either to break through, That was until the scoring was opened by Holly McNamara in the 32nd minute, as the golden boot winner netted her first goal of the season.
Alexia Apostolakis sent the ball deep from a corner, with a first attempt from Rebekah Stott being blocked by a sea of yellow shirts. When the ball hit McNamaras’ feet among the chaos, it was bound to reach the back of the net.
Keane looked to extend City’s lead with a shot from just outside the box; however, the angle was slightly too tight to cause any real danger for Langman.
As the first half was coming to a close, Langman made an excellent save after McNamara sent the ball to Laura Hughes, in what could have been City’s second goal of the afternoon.
During the one minute of stoppage time, Shelby McMahon sent the ball to the back of the net, assisted by McNamara, as Melbourne City takes the lead 2-0 at the break.
There was drama early in the second half, as Leticia McKenna took a knock just a minute into play. She quickly recovered and took a free kick, which was ultimately blocked.
A few good passes put the Mariners back in contention, however a loss of footing across the pitch – likely due to the wet weather – meant no real opportunities could be made as they attempted to gain dominance over City.
Central Coast did manage to hold the possession for a period of time, as City was unable to intercept the smooth passes of Prakash and Peta Trimis’s footwork.
McNamara made a dangerous run towards the box, but was taken down in the penalty area by Baxter Thew, and awarded a free kick, which awarded Melbourne City a third goal of the meeting, as the ball flew past Langman to the back of the net.
McNamara quickly went in for a hat-trick, with an extremely close shot outside the box, that was saved by Langman, on the keeper’s 100th A-League appearance.
The Mariners made a number of changes in an attempt to respond to City’s lead, with Blake Hughes, Annalise Rassmussen, and Tamar Levin coming into the action.
An excellent cross from Trimis was almost dangerous for City, until it was headed away by Otto.
The 65th minute saw McNamara make way for Deven Jackson after the brace scorer showed some discomfort in her knee.
McMahon took her second goal of the match, and third of the season, flying past the Mariners’ defence, booting the ball to the back of the net, leaving Melbourne City in an even further lead as stoppage time approached.
A late attempt from Rassmussen gave the Mariners a dangerous opportunity to get a goal back, however the ball just bounced off the post and the scoreline remained intact.
Although the Mariners fought hard in the final minutes of play, desperately looking for a response, Melbourne City’s defence shut down any opportunities the visitors managed to create, taking a 4-0 win at home.
The win is not only one of great satisfaction following last season’s major upset, but it is also a historic one, as it marks the first time Melbourne City have ever beaten the Mariners.
MELBOURNE CITY (4-1-4-1): Mieres, Apostolakis, Stott, Otto, Turner, McKenna, Keane, Hughes, McMahon, Davidson, McNamara. Substitutes: Barbieri, Butrus, Jackson, Jugovic, Karic, Rako.
Goals: McNamara 32’, 54’, McMahon 45+1’,71’,
CENTRAL COAST MARINERS (4-3-1-2): Langman, Buchanan, Barwick-Grey, King, Baumann, Prakash, Quilligan, Kraszula, Trimis, dos Santos, Coco-Do Sipio. Substitutes: Fuller, Grove, Hughes, Levin, Rasmussen, Thew.
Referee: Caitlin Williams
Attendance: 211.
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