Our CCM Ninja A-League Women remain undefeated after defeating Canberra United by a score of 2 goals to 1 on a humid afternoon in Gosford.
The match was highlighted from a Mariners perspective with some excellent goalkeeping while at the other end of the park it was the substitutes who stood up.
The game started evenly with both sides applying pressure. In the 10th minute the Mariners were awarded a penalty after Mariner's forward Jade Pennock was brought down. Pennock stepped up to take the penalty but unfortunately the Canberra goalkeeper read the spot kick perfectly with a great save.
Both teams had chances throughout the half with the deadlock broken by Canberra in the 38th minute. Canberra forward Maja Markovski scored what must be a contender for goal of the year. From the 25 metres out on the right-side of the penalty box, Markovski struck a beautiful shot that beat Mariner's goalkeeper Langman in the top left-hand corner of the goal.
Score remained at 1-0 to Canberra at half-time.
The second half continued to be an even contest in the second half with Canberra having a couple of opportunities to score around the 55th minute from point blank range. Langman did well to save both shots to keep the Mariners in the game.
Mariner's coach Emily Husband made two decisive substitutions. In the 58th minute, Shadeene Evans and Tiana Fuller replaced Brooke Nunn and Annalise Rasmussen. This match would be a highlight for 16-year old Fuller with it being her A-League debut.
It only took 4 minutes for Fuller to score her first A-League goal. After lead up play on the right, a looping cross went over the heads of Pennock and Evans with Fuller striking the ball with a half-volley, scoring to the right of the Canberra keeper.
Langman was again called upon a few minutes later to keep the Mariners in the game with an excellent save.
At the 68th minute a through ball to Pennock opened the Canberra defense. Pennock worked the ball into the penalty box, cutting the ball back with a cross towards the penalty box where it was met by Shadeene Evans. Evans' strike was clinical, beating the Canberra keeper at her near post.
Both teams continued to pressure each other with the game remaining at a scoreline of 2-1 in favour of the Mariners.
The Mariners next game in the Ninja A-League Women's competition is an away game against Brisbane on December 14th. Kick-off is currently scheduled for 6:00pm.
Last night the group draw was held for the AFC Champions League Elite competition for 2024/25.
This competition will involve our Central Coast Mariners played eight matches against Asian clubs group into a Eastern division. Four of those matches will be played at home at Industree Group Stadium while the other four will be away matches.
One of the highlights as a result of the draw will be a match on December 3rd this year against Yokohama F. Marinos whose coach is ex-Mariner legend John Hutchinson.
Another highlight will be the away game on October 22nd against Shanghai Port FC where Australian Kevin Muscat is their head coach.
All matches will be played on Tuesday evenings.
Date | Opposition |
Home/Away |
Venue | Kick-off Time (Local) |
17th September 2024 | Shandong Taishan FC | Away | Jinan Olympic Sports Center, Jinan | 6pm |
1st October 2024 | Buriram United | Home | Industree Group Stadium, Gosford | 6pm |
22nd October 2024 | Shanghai Port | Away | Pudong Football Stadium, Shanghai | 6pm |
5th November 2024 | Shanghai Shenhua | Home | Industree Group Stadium, Gosford | 7pm |
26th November 2024 | Vissel Kobe | Away | Kobe City Misaki Park Stadium, Kobe | 7pm |
3rd December 2024 | Yokohama F. Marinos | Home | Industree Group Stadium, Gosford | 7pm |
11th February 2025 | Johor Darul Ta'zim | Home | Industree Group Stadium, Gosford | 7pm |
18th February 2025 | Kawasaki Fontale | Away | Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium, Kawasaki | 7pm |