The Mariner's Ninja A-League Women's side remain in the contest to qualify for their first Grand Final after an exciting 2-2 draw with Melbourne City at home.
Our Women's side go to Melbourne next weekend knowing that they are very much in the contest to qualify for the Ninja A-League Grand Final.
The game started well for both sides with City having the best chances. In the 19th minute, City broke the Mariners defensive line with their forward McKenna only needing to beat Mariners goalkeeper Langman to score. Langman made an excellent save to prevent that from happening.
It only took another minute for the score to change in the favour of the Mariners. An excellent run up the left by Mariners' striker Rasmussen found Gomez whose cross was met by Jade Pennock. Pennock's shot was saved by the City goalkeeper who could only deflect the ball directly to Mariners' Brooke Nunn. Nunn converted the opportunity with a tap in from close range.
The scoreline would change in the 29th minute. City were awarded a free kick directly in front of goal but 25 metres out. City's McKenna decided to chance her hand with a long range shot that found the target in the top left-hand corner of the Mariners goal.
Five minutes later, City were to take the lead. Another through ball found City forward Henry who rounded Langman and scored into an empty goal mouth.
Score was 2-1 in favour of Melbourne City at half-time.
The second half started in a similar manner as the first with each side playing well but unable to change the scoreline.
That would change in 54th minute. Mariners Rasmussen and Pennock would again be at the start of a surge into the City half. Rasmussen passed the ball wide to Pennock who noticed that Brooke Nunn was making a run out wide on the left. Pennock's pass behind two City defenders found its target in Nunn who rounded the City goalkeeper. All seemed lost when Nunn ended up wide on the left and City defenders had retreached into their only 6-yard box. Nunn with her experience saw an opportunity and lobbed the ball the goal.
The Mariners had a period in the second half where they bombarded the City goal with several opportunities from corners and open play but just could not find the target.
The score finished at 2 goals a piece with the Mariners being able to go to Melbourne next weekend knowing that they are very much in the contest to win this Semi-Final.
The second leg will be played next weekend with details of the exact date, kick-off time and venue to be confirmed.
