The Central Coast Mariners have opened their Westfield W-League campaign with a 2-0 loss at the hands of an impressive Melbourne Victory side at the Telstra Dome this evening.
The Central Coast Mariners have opened their Westfield W-League campaign with a 2-0 loss at the hands of an impressive Melbourne Victory side at the Telstra Dome this evening.
Second half goals from Marlies Oostdam and Rebecca Tegg secured all three points for the home side on a landmark day for women-s football and the Mariners, with the Central Coast-s fixture against the Victory the historic first ever match of the exciting new era for women-s football in Australia.
Despite the loss, the Mariners- first up showing in the Westfield W-League was an encouraging one that underlined the potential of what is a young Mariners side with much to offer.
“We were perhaps a little overwhelmed by the occasion tonight and didn-t produce the quality that we-re capable of, but we-ll be wiser for the experience and will take that into future games,” said Mariners Westfield W-League Head Coach Stephen Roche after the match.
“Full credit to the Victory, they-re an experienced side and they deserved their win tonight, the positive that we can take from the game is that we know how much we can improve and how much we still have to offer to the Westfield W-League.”
The Mariners- starting line up featured Westfield Matildas Caitlin Cooper, Lyndsay Glohe, Renee Rollason and Kyah Simon, while 16-year-old Elizabeth O-Reilly became one of the youngest players to ever wear the Mariners crest in a competitive fixture when emerging from the substitutes bench on 74 minutes.
After going to the break at 0-0, the Mariners started the second stanza promisingly before conceding from Oostdam-s speculative long-range free kick, which sailed into the top corner of Lisa Hartley-s goal.
Eight minutes later, Tegg doubled the Victory-s advantage and effectively ended the Mariners- hopes of salvaging a result from the opening round – ensuring that three points will be the order of the day at Parramatta Stadium next Saturday.
“We now look forward to returning home, working hard at training and putting in an improved performance against the Perth Glory in one week-s time,” said Roche.
“Every member of our playing group know that we can play a lot better than we did today and I-m very confident that we-ll see a better quality Mariners showing at Parramatta Stadium next Saturday.”
The Mariners- Westfield W-League campaign continues on Saturday, 1 November at Parramatta Stadium against the Perth Glory. Kick off is at 6pm.
Match Details
Central Coast Mariners 20. Lisa Hartley (gk), 2. Caitlin Cooper, 3. Lyndsay Glohe, 4. Rachael Doyle, 6. Karina Roweth, 7. Teresa Polias (14. Taryn Rockall 83-), 8. Renee Rollason, 10. Kyah Simon, 11. Stephanie Haim (17. Britt Simmons 56-), 12. Gill Foster (15. Elizabeth O-Reilly 74-), 13. Trudy Camilleri
Unused Subs 1. Emma-Kate Dewhurst (gk)
Yellow Cards Rollason 17-
Red Cards None
Goals None
Melbourne Victory 1. Melissa Barbieri (gk), 3. Marlies Oostdam, 4. Tal Karp, 5. Laura Alleway, 6. Maika Ruyter-Hooley, 7. Sarah Groenewald, 8. Louisa Bisby, 9. Rebecca Tegg (17. Alisha Foote 66-), 11. Brittany Timko (12. Sophie Hogben 63-), 15. Daniela Diggiammarco, 19. Enza Barilla (16. Bronwyn Nutley 78-)
Unused Subs 20. Nicole Paul (gk)
Yellow Cards Karp 13-, Bisby 67-, Nutley 90-+3
Red Cards None
Goals Oostdam 52-, Tegg 60-
Referee Lee Corey
