Yesterday, on a wet, spring afternoon the Mariners hosted both the A-League Men and Women for the first of five double header fixtures for the 2024/25 season.
The day was opened with first match of the season for the Mariner's Ninja A-League Women who were hosting last year's Champions in Sydney FC.
The first half saw both teams with opportunities that they could not convert. The Mariner's defence held strong and the Mariners' mid-field saw players like Isabel Gomez and Peta Trimis dominate thier opponents on many occasions.
The game seemed destined to go to half-time in a stalemate until Peta Trimis took a shot at goal that saw the ball strike the hand of one of the Sydney defenders. Jade Pennock in her first game for Mariners stepped forward and converted the penalty easily.
Score was 1-0 to the Mariners at half-time.
The second half continued in much the same manner as the first half. Each had opportunities but it was the Mariners who took advantage playing the ball out to the right where Jade Pennock now played provider. Pennock nutmegged a Sydney defender with the ball going to Isabel Gomez who struck the ball well, scoring the Mariners second goal in the 62nd minute.
In the 72nd minute, Sydney brought Princess Ibini on as a substitute and the game seemed to turn a little in Sydney's favour. Almost 10 minutes after coming on, she received a pass from Shea Connors and converted to make the score to 2-1.
This goal seemed to spur the Mariners players back into action. In the 87th minute, Jade Pennock was also involved with a superb cross that resulted in the Sydney keeper parrying the ball away from goal. Unfortunately for Sydney, the ball went straight to Bianca Galic who converted easily to take the score to 3-1.
This would be the final score for an excellent win for the Mariners women against opposition that some consider (not Mariners fans) to be one of the competitions favourites.
This match was followed by the Mariners Men against Perth Glory. Both teams were searching for their first win of the season with the Mariners starting the game the best, dominating the first 15-20 minutes.
If it were not for Glory keeper Oliver Sail making a point blank save, the Mariners would have gone to half-time in front.
The second half in this game was like that of the Womens with both Men's teams continuing the same style of play as that in the first half.
The game seemed to turn in the favour of the Mariners when the referee awarded a penalty to the Mariners in the 75th minute when a cross from Doka appeared to strike the arm of Glory defender Canga. Unfortunately for the Mariners the penalty decision was reversed after a pitch-side VAR review.
A late long-range shot by Mariners defender Mauragis was handled well by Glory's keeper to keep the final score at nil-all.
