The weekend has provided great results for both of the Mariner's A-League teams, both winning on the road with 3-nil results.
The Men started proceedings on Thursday evening after having returned last week from the Philippines where they won there last AFC Cup Group match and had a 3-all draw on Sunday against Melbourne City.
To add to this, Thursday's match against Brisbane had kick-off delayed due to thunderstorms, it was raining heavily and the pitch had issues with new grass having been laid in some sections of the playing area.
The Mariner's first goal in the 27th minute was a beautiful goal that started in the defensive line. An exquisite long ball by Storm Roux found Marco Tülio, who had beaten the off-side trap. Tülio was able to get to the ball first and beat the Brisbane goalkeeper, allowing Marco to score from a wide angle to an empty goal mouth.
Score was 1-nil at half-time.
Brisbane came out strong after half-time and had some chances, as did the Mariners who scored again in the 56th minute. This time Tülio was officially the provider when he crossed the ball from the right-hand side. A deft dummy by Josh Nisbet who stepped over the ball put the Brisbane defence out of sorts, allowing Angel Torres to strike the ball home to take the lead to 2-nil.
Brisbane continued to come at the Mariners and it was clear that fatigue for the Mariners was starting to kick in. The Mariners hit extra time with the 2-nil lead but did not give up. An excellent run by Josh Nisbet from well in the Mariner's own half saw him ignore a call from Tülio on the right, electing to put the ball out to Torres on the left. With almost the last kick of the game, Torres scored with a left-footed strike from the left of the penalty box into the bottom right-hand corner.
Attention then turned to the Mariner's Womens game in Canberra today against Canberra United.
The Mariner's women scored their first goal in the 29th minute. Wurigumula received the ball from Isabel Gomez on the right-side of the field where she worked the ball onto her left-foot. With a contender for goal of the year, Wurigumula struck her shot from well outside the penalty box into the top left corner of the Canberra goal.
The score was to remain 1-nil until the 69th minute where Wurigumula was to score her second. A defensive error by Canberra found Wurigumula in a one-on-one situation with the Canberra goalkeeper. Wurigumula easily rounded the keeper to slot the ball into the empty goal.
The score would go to 3-nil five minutes later. Peta Trimis received a through ball on a fast break. The 17-year old Trimis kept a cool head to take the ball into the penalty box and scored her first A-League goal into the bottom right corner.
Next games for both the Women and Men's teams are on New Year's Eve against Perth Glory at Industry Group Stadium in Gosford. Women's kick-off is 4:15pm while the Men's match starts at 7pm.
Don't forget that fireworks start at 9pm!!!