The Central Coast Mariners Westfield W-League team has played out a 1-all draw against Canberra United at Canberra Stadium this afternoon to retain second place on the table after round 5.
The Central Coast Mariners Westfield W-League team has played out a 1-all draw against Canberra United at Canberra Stadium this afternoon to retain second place on the table after round 5.
In a home away from home match, Canberra-s Ellie Brush scored first before an equaliser from Kendall Fletcher in the 21st minute drew the Mariners level.
The match began with a frantic tempo as spectators had barely settled in their seats when the Mariners conceded a penalty in only the second minute. Ellie Brush made no mistake with her shot being fired high and to the left of Mariners ‘keeper Jillian Loyden.
Michelle Heyman managed to work her way into the box for the Mariners first real scoring opportunity of the match but was unable to get her shot away.
Canberra immediately went on the attack with only a desperate save from Loyden denying Ashleigh Sykes in the 17th minute.
Kendall Fletcher was able to capitalise on a great through ball from Samantha Spackman to level the score. Her shot was impressive given the acute angle she had to work with.
The goal appeared to lift the Mariners- spirits after conceding early and the midfield really began to attack with purpose. The intensity of the match lifted noticeably and Kelly Golebiowski made an incisive run from midfield that should have doubled the score for the Central Coast side. Her efforts were thwarted by a brilliant covering tackle from Chiung Ying Lin, however the Taiwanese international came off second best, ending her involvement in the match.
Buoyed by the forced substitution the Mariners continued to attack with a cross from Heyman just failing to reach the outstretched boot of Ashleigh Connor. The next best scoring chance came from the head of Golebiowski, who from point blank range was denied by a brilliant reflex save from Canberra-s ‘keeper Lydia Williams.
Williams denied Lydia Vandenbergh minutes later to ensure that the scores remained level at half-time.
The intensity of the first half had appeared to sap the energy of the players from both teams as both sides looked to consolidate their defence.
Indeed the first scoring chance went to Canberra with Ashleigh Sykes blasting a shot wide on the hour mark. Ellyse Perry tried her luck from 25 yards but her shot ultimately sailed harmlessly over the cross bar.
Goal Scorer Fletcher was in everything and had a shot parried away by Williams in the 71st minute much to her obvious frustration.
The Mariners were looking composed in defence with skipper Caitlin Cooper, Lyndsay Glohe and Rachael Doyle all working hard to recover in defence against the energetic strike paring of Shu O Tseng and Ashleigh Sykes.
Both sides had opportunities to win the match in the dying minutes with Canberra-s Rebecca Kiting blasting a header wide of the near post.
The Mariners best chance fell to American Lydia Vandenbergh who was thwarted by a diving Lydia Williams.
By this stage it was fairly apparent that the match was going to end in a draw but Canberra had one last throw of the dice with Ashleigh Sykes heading the ball just wide of the post in the dying seconds.
Mariners Coach Stephen Roche conceded a draw was a fair result for his side but was disappointed in not getting the three points.
“I was proud of how the girls came back especially after conceding a goal so early.
“The game was quite physical in places today and it was a tough contest,” Roche said.
“I think it proves that in this competition any team can beat anyone on their day. A point-s a point.
“We couldn-t get the goals that we-ve been getting in the last few games but that-s the way it goes sometimes.
“We have some things we can go and work on out of this game,” Roche said.
Goal scorer Kendall Fletcher also believed it was a fair result.
“Both sides had their chances out their today and we did well to get back into the match especially after that first goal.
“I think our combinations improved as the game went on and we defended well today as we have been doing all season,” Fletcher said.
The Central Coast Mariners Westfield W-League Team is next in action on Saturday the 7th November against Perth Glory at Clipsal Stadium. Kick-off is at 3:00 pm (6:00pm AEST).
Match Details
Central Coast Mariners: 1. Jillian LOYDEN (GK), 2. Caitlin COOPER (C), 3. Lyndsay GLOHE, 4. Rachael DOYLE, 8. Kelly GOLEBIOWSKI (13. Trudy CAMILLERI 70-), 9. Renee ROLLASON, 10. Kendall FLETCHER, 11. Michelle HEYMAN (16. Jenna KINGSLEY 78-), 12. Samantha SPACKMAN, 14. Ashleigh CONNOR, 19. Lydia VANDENBERGH
Unused Subs 17. Britt SIMMONS, 20. Rachel COOPER (GK)
Yellow Cards Nil
Red Cards Nil
Goals Fletcher 20-
Canberra United: 1. Lydia WILLIAMS (GK), 2. Rebecca KITING, 4. Chiung YING LIN (5. Kahlia HOGG), 7. Ellie BRUSH (3. Bronwyn STUDMAN), 9. Grace GILL, 10. Shu O TSENG, 11. Cian MACIEJEWSKI, (12. Snez VELJANOVSKA 89-), 14. Ashleigh SYKES, 15. Nicole Sykes, 16. Ellyse PERRY, 19. Jennifer BISSET
Unused Subs 20. Jocelyn MARA (GK)
Yellow Cards Bisset 21-
Red Cards Nil
Goals Brush 3- (pen)
Referee Kate JACEWICZ
Ends
