F3 derby set for Westfield W-League debut

The Wesfield W-League will witness its first ever F3 derby on Saturday, when the Central Coast Mariners’ campaign continues against northern rivals the Newcastle Jets at Campbelltown Stadium.

The Wesfield W-League will witness its first ever F3 derby on Saturday, when the Central Coast Mariners- campaign continues against northern rivals the Newcastle Jets at Campbelltown Stadium.

Hyundai A-League clashes between the Mariners and the Jets over the past three and a half seasons have been highlights of the short history of the Hyundai A-League and identical intensity and passion is expected to be a feature of Saturday night-s meeting.

The Mariners have been in impressive form of late, though the yellow and navy have little to show for their efforts, having suffered back-to-back defeats against the Queensland Roar and Sydney FC.

“We played a great first-half against Sydney FC, even the previous week against Queensland Roar,” said Mariners Westfield W-League Head Coach Stephen Roche.

“We-ve kept our opponents in their own half for such a long stretch of the matches, though we have not come up with the goals that we needed.

“Last Saturday-s match against Sydney FC was without a doubt our best match of the season so far, but despite dominating, we didn-t get the goals and that is what it comes down to.

“I am disappointed to concede two goals from set-pieces, we have worked on defending set-pieces and it really is frustrating to give up two goals, especially considering we dominated for much of the match.”

One of the Mariners- standouts against Sydney FC was tireless midfielder Teresa Polias, who believes that the Mariners have plenty to offer on Saturday and, indeed, for the remainder of the Westfield W-League season.

“The Sydney FC match was our best match of the season to date, we were really happy with the way we performed even though we lost, which really is disappointing considering the way the match unfolded,” said Polias.

“We-ll need to cut out the errors we made when we play Newcastle this week, the girls all believe that we can continue to improve on this last performance.”

The Mariners- Westfield W-League campaign continues with a second derby in as many weeks against northern rivals the Newcastle Jets at Campbelltown Stadium on Saturday, 29 November. Kick off is at 6pm.