Sydney FC 1-0 Central Coast Mariners
by Callum Logie (23/11/25)
Above: Sydney FC celebrate scoring against the Mariners. Photo: Sydney FC
A physical contest saw Sydney FC edge past the Central Coast Mariners to remain undefeated through the first four games of the season.
Leichhardt Oval hosted an exciting encounter with the visiting reigning champions Central Coast Mariners eager to bounce back after back-to-back defeats against both Melbourne sides. Sydney FC came into the match undefeated after two draws and a win.
Ante Juric made no changes to the home squad, meaning 14-year-old Willa Pearson was given another start. Central Coast opted for a few personnel changes with Annabel Martin, Isabel Gomez, and Annalise Rasmussen joining the starting line-up.
Early in the game, the Mariners opted to take a pressing approach when off the ball, trying to counter Sydney FC’s confident possession play. The press resulted in an early free kick for Tess Quilligan, but the youngster was unable to create a significant opportunity as the first five minutes started slowly.
The crowd was lively throughout, and the first significant chance came in the 12th minute when Sarah Hunter took a shot from about 35 yards out. While audacious, the effort was directed well enough to force a good save out of Sarah Langman.
Sydney were focusing on getting on the ball in midfield and trying to play it in behind to the threatening Mackenzie Hawkesby, resulting in a mix of off-sides and Mariners foul, creating pressure for the hosts who started on the back foot in the first half.
The Mariners’ first solid chance at goal was created by a run forward and cross from Annabel Martin, which found the head of Rasmussen, but it was slightly behind the forward, so she was unable to direct her header on target. This, however, won some solid territory for the Mariners, and they soon won a threatening free kick from about 30 yards out.
In the 28th minute, a venture forward from Coco-Di Sipio led to a driven shot at Robertson’s goal. The shot was just over the bar, but a good creative move from the winger.
It was quite a physical affair through the first half, with a lot of fouls and player bumps. There was one yellow card given to each team. One for Tarran King and one for Kirsty Fenton, but otherwise the referee was fairly conservative.
Both defences were very solid through the first half, stifling many front third entries on both sides. There were only five shots between the two teams at the half, with none majorly testing either goalkeeper.
A free kick from Central Coast was drifted in toward the near post, where Elizabeth Barwick-Grey was lurking. Tiahna Robertson eventually managed to knock the ball out of danger. The defending champions were looking to strike early in the second half with an up-tempo pace.
In the 50th minute, a high press from Sydney got Riley Tanner on the ball, who quickly poked the ball through to the substitute forward Jodi Ulkekul. Ulkekul struck a right-footed effort just wide from outside the box, but it was a good response after the start from the Mariners.
Sydney continued with their high pressing, with Maddie Caspers playing a clever ball through to Ulkekul, who struck a shot straight at Langman. The game really started to open up on the attacking side in the second half, with both teams looking to gain the important three points.
Tanner became a much bigger influence in the second half, consistently pressing high and winning possession. The more creative players on the Mariners side had to track back to try and contain Caspers and Tanner in particular.
The next chance came from the foot of Bianca Galic, who took a shot at goal from outside the box in the 67th minute. The strike itself was somewhat tam,e and Langman was able to deal with the chance competently.
In the 73rd minute, somewhat against the run of play, Tiana Fuller struck a well-directed effort from outside the box, which was well saved and then collected by Robertson, who had an impressive game, filling in for the injured Heather Hinz.
Three minutes later, the home side’s endeavours were eventually rewarded. An attacking move instigated by Caley Tallon-Henniker. The cross from the substitute winger was deflected away, but Hunter showed excellent awareness to tap the ball to Caspers, who struck an excellent curved effort into the top corner from 17 yards out.
A moment later, Gomez tried a long-ranged effort to get Central Coast back on level terms, but the shot was directed well wide. Avani Prakash was introduced to try and assist the title-holders’ comeback effort.
Two minutes into stoppage time, Sydney broke forward and nearly extended their lead after a run and shot from Tallon-Henniker, but the effort was directed slightly too high.
This was a very physical affair, with many fouls committed on both sides. A moment of brilliance from Caspers marked the difference between the two teams as Sydney looked to continue their rise up the table, and keep their undefeated streak alive.
Teams: SYDNEY FC (4-3-3): Robertson, Lemon, Pearson, Fenton, Tumeth, Caspers, Hunter, Galic, Tanner, Hawkesby, Cassar. Substitutes: Halmarick, Oppedisano, Rose, Ulkekul, Sullivan, Tallon-Henniker.
Scorers: Caspers 76′.
CENTRAL COAST MARINERS (4-3-3): Langman, Baumann, King, Barwick-Grey, Martin, Gomez, Quilligan, Kraszula, Coco-Di Sipio, Rasmussen, Trimis. Substitutes: Buchanan, Farrow, Fuller, Grove, Prakash, dos Santos.
Referee: Page Malau-Aduli.
Attendance: 2,455.
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