Two goals from a pair of substitutes within five minutes of each other condemned Canberra United to a second defeat of the season as the Central Coast Mariners came from behind to claim all three points at Industree Group Stadium in Ninja A-League Round 5.
Tiana Fuller and Shadeene Evans netted after being summoned from the bench in the 58th minute by Head Coach Emily Husband, overturning a screamer from Maja Markovski that had given Canberra a half-time lead.
In the absence of Antoni Jagarinec, absent for personal reasons, Ahmed Ugool stepped into the Head Coach breach for the first time in his nascent career, and handed an A-League debut to new American recruit Madison Ayson, the centre-back having arrived in midweek from Houston Dash thrust straight into the team.
Ayson showed some commendable aptitude, and glimpses of her undoubted quality throughout the ninety minutes, promising much more to come when she acclimatises to her teammates and the nature of the competition.
The home side should have taken the lead early on when they were awarded a spot-kick only ten minutes into the encounter when English forward Jade Pennock was bundled over inside the penalty area. Pennock elected to take the responsibility on herself, but Sally James was equal to the task, saving superbly from the penalty.
As it was, it was Canberra that struck first in quite sensational fashion seven minutes before half-time with a sublime goal from Markovski. Ruby Nathan made the initial inroads, and was on hand to tee up Markovski after Mary Stanic-Floody had recycled possession, Markovski rifling a magnificent effort from thirty metres out on the angle that flew into the top corner of the net.
There was a chance for a second moments before half-time, but Emma Robers was unable to keep her shot down when presented with a wonderful opportunity by some industrious approach work from Aideen Keane. And Canberra were to pay for their profligacy in five mad second-half minutes.
The Mariners levelled matters in the 63rd minute when sixteen-year-old substitute Fuller arrived onto the scene to get on the end of a cross that dropped into the United penalty area, the teenager sweeping an unerring finish back across James, the ball swerving into the bottom corner and giving the ‘keeper no chance.
And the home side were to grab the match winner just five minutes later via a second replacement. Evans swapped passes with Pennock and found the finish needed to beat James and secure the Mariners the victory.
MATCH DETAILS
Saturday 30 November 2024
Central Coast Mariners 2 (Fuller 63’, Evans 68’) Canberra United 1 (Markovski 38’)
(Industree Group Stadium, 16:00)
Canberra United: 1. Sally JAMES, 2. Alex MCKENZIE (28. Tegan BERTOLISSIO 82’), 3. Elizabeth ANTON, 5. Madison AYSON, 9. Ruby NATHAN, 10. Mary STANIC-FLOODY (7. Jynaya DOS SANTOS 67’), 11. Emma ROBERS, 12. Hayley TAYLOR-YOUNG, 17. Maja MARKOVSKI (4. Holly MURRAY 82’), 21. Aideen KEANE (13. Sofia CHRISTOPHERSON), 25. Darcey MALONE
Substitutes not used: 18. Coco MAJSTOROVIC
DISCIPLINE: Yellow Cards: 2. Alex MCKENZIE, 13. Sofia CHRISTOPHERSON
