It was far from straightforward, but Melbourne City claimed a valuable three points in Gosford on Friday night, defeating Central Coast Mariners 3-1 to head into the extended international break on a high.
After a tightly contested first half, City found our rhythm after the restart, striking three times in a dominant 25-minute burst to secure a deserved win on the road.
Team News
Head Coach Michael Matricciani made just one change to his most recent XI, welcoming back skipper Rebekah Stott following her absence due to thumb surgery.
Stott’s return brought a slight reshuffle to the back four, with Dan Turner reverting to her more natural role at left full back and Alexia Apostolakis named among the substitutes.
Starting XI: 24. Malena MIERES (GK), 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 13. Rebekah STOTT, 5. Taylor OTTO (C), 3. Dan TURNER, 6. Leticia McKENNA, 12. Shelby McMAHON, 11. Deven JACKSON, 21. Aideen KEANE, 22. Bryleeh HENRY, 9. Holly MCNAMARA.
Substitutes: 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 7. Danella BUTRUS, 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 15. Chinaza UCHENDU, 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 20. Caitlin KARIC.
What happened?
The opening exchanges were evenly balanced, with City controlling possession but the Mariners threatening in transition. Peta Trimis registered the game’s first sight at goal inside 10 minutes, although she failed to test Mieres, and she again fired off target midway through the half under defensive pressure.
City’s best opportunities before the break came from set pieces. McKenna curled a free kick over the bar from the edge of the area in the 33rd minute, before delivering a pinpoint corner seven minutes later that found the head of Otto. The defender rose strongly but, under heavy pressure, was unable to steer her effort on target.
The breakthrough almost arrived within seconds of the restart. Keane surged forward and slid a perfectly weighted ball across the face of goal, but Henry was just unable to apply the finishing touch at the back post.
City would not be denied for long. In the 52nd minute, a move that mirrored the earlier chance paid off. Keane was again instrumental, driving forward before feeding McNamara, who whipped a dangerous cross into the area. This time, Henry timed her run to perfection, guiding a composed finish into the bottom corner to hand City a deserved 1-0 lead.
The goal forced the Mariners to open up, and City capitalised. McKenna came within inches of doubling the advantage in the 64th minute when her superbly struck free kick cannoned off the crossbar.
The second goal arrived shortly after in an unlikely fashion. From a recycled set piece, Otto found herself advancing down the left wing and produced a teasing cross into the box. Stott, having pushed forward from centre back, met it calmly and finished with authority, celebrating emphatically as City extended the lead to 2-0.
Just six minutes later, Keane capped off an outstanding performance. Picking up the ball on the left edge of the area, she created space before rifling a powerful strike across the goalkeeper and into the far corner to make it three.
The Mariners did pull one back in the 77th minute, but City remained composed and largely untroubled in the closing stages, seeing out the contest professionally to ensure the points were heading back to Melbourne.
What’s next?
We now break for an extended international window before returning to A-League Women action on Sunday 15 March, when we host Canberra United. The break provides an opportunity to reset and recharge, with confidence high after a strong finish in Gosford.
