Central Coast Mariners 0-0 Canberra United
By Kieran Yap 30/3/26
Above: Sasha Grove. Photo: Canberra United
Central Coast and Canberra United have played out an entertaining scoreless draw at Polytec Stadium. Despite both sides creating numerous chances and a very open attacking game, the respective goalkeepers were both in equally excellent form.
Canberra arrived at The Mariners home ground eyeing second place on the table, finals football was essentially assured by other results, now it was about where they finished. Central Coast still need to cement their position in the top six and a win here would put some serious distance between then and seventh placed Melbourne Victory.
Both sides were slightly depleted by The Young Matildas Asian Cup campaign. Canberra were without Teagan Bertolissio. The versatile defender meant a slight reshuffling of the lineup and positions. The Mariners were missing key playmakers Peta Trimis and Avaani Prakash. All three players are expected to be crucial to the nation’s hopes in Thailand.
Canberra began the match with an immediate attack. Michelle Heyman tried to turn in the area and played it back to Sasha Grove, but her deep, in swinging cross was cleared. That start set the tone for the game, which continued at an enthralling tempo, that never let up.
Izzy Gomez threatened to break the deadlock up the other end. She battled her way into a shooting position, but her eventual effort on the half-volley was well blocked at close range.
Canberra responded through Heyman. Emma Hawkins played a precise through-ball and Heyman’s well-timed run put her in space behind the defence. She opted to try and place it beyond Annalee Grove but the former Canberra resident was able to keep the scores level.
Nanako Sasaki saw her long range attempt for Canberra sail over the bar, and Gomez tried her own spectacular effort from almost 40 yards. It had Sally James backpedalling, but in the end she caught the ball comfortably.
Some great interplay between Canberra’s Josie Aulicino, and Hawkins earned a free-kick for the visitors, and Bethany Gordon’s resulting strike brought the save of the day out of Annalee Grove.
Tamar Levin tested James with a powerful strike, and then from a free-kick, but was unable to break the deadlock.
The draw was not the result either team wanted, and both could see this as an opportunity missed, but in the end, neither team will really be unhappy with how the round ended. Both remain in the top six, The Mariners only need a draw next weekend to secure their third successive finals campaign. Canberra United will definitely contend for a trophy, which given their off-field uncertainty, is a remarkable achievement and they would be deserving winners if they can pull off what would only be a slight upset to win a championship.
Teams: CENTRAL COAST MARINERS (4-3-2-1): Grove, Barwik-Grey, Gomez, Farrow, Levin, Buchanan, Kraszula, Qulligan, King, Familton, Baumann. Substitutes: Thew, Martin, Fernandez, Dos Santos, Hughes, Varley.
CANBERRA UNITED (3-5-1-1): James, Anton, Aulicino, Hawkins, Grove, Robers, Taylor-Young, Christopherson, Gordon, Sasaki, Heyman. Substitutes: Majstorovic, Mckenzie, De Domizio, Stanic-Floody, Skelly, Malone.
Referee: Bec Mackie
Attendance: TBC
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