Sydney FC Women have fallen to the Central Coast on a wet and soggy afternoon in Gosford.
After dominating the first half, the Sky Blues failed to convert their chances and were ultimately punished with Princess Ibini scoring a second half consolation for Ante Juric’s side.
Sydney FC 1 (Ibini 83′) def. by Central Coast Mariners 3 (Pennock 41′, Gomez 62′, Galic 87′)
Moments That Mattered
14’ | LOWRY WITH OUR FIRST ATTEMPT – The midfielder enters the box late and can’t quite control it off the slippery surface and her attempt goes wide.
16′ | EDWARDS DENIES THE HOSTS FROM CLOSE RANGE – Our new number one is called into action early on and comes up with a strong one on one save.
33′ | CONNORS CURLS ONE FAR POST – The number nine cuts inside onto her left and draws a very impressive diving save from Langman in the Mariners net.
41′ | MARINERS OPEN THE SCORING FROM THE SPOT – Farrow handles in the area and Jade Pennock slots the penalty home.
52′ | CONNORS MISSES FROM CLOSE RANGE – Mille Farrow cuts the ball back to Shea Connors but her attempt bundles wide of the up-right.
62′ | GOMEZ DOUBLES MARINERS’ ADVANTAGE – The Mariners link up well through the middle and Gomez drives one past Edwards.
83′ | IBINI GIVES SYDNEY A LIFELINE – Caspers, Connors and Ibini link up well and Princess slots it into the far corner.
87′ | GALIC SEALS IT FOR THE MARINERS – Bianca Galic taps home after the cross into the box isn’t dealt with by the Sky Blue defence.
What They Said: Ante Juric
“We are notoriously slow starters and today I feel like we gave them all three goals today.
“We didn’t take out own chances when they came and well done to Central Coast for taking theirs.
“I don’t feel the pressure of a third consecutive Championship I just focus on what we do week in week out and now we will head to Brisbane next week and look to pick it back up.”
Match Report
Sydney FC have opened their season with a tough 3-1 loss to the Central Coast Mariners at Industree Group Stadium.
The Sky Blues had the better chances on the day but failed to convert and fell behind late in the first half before the hosts doubled their advantage.
Princess Ibini pulled one back for the visitors however it wasn’t enough as Bianca Galic sealed all three points.
Sydney FC started the match brightly and were unlucky not to go ahead in the opening 15 minutes.
Nat Tobin won a header from a Hana Lowry corner and was unable to direct it below the crossbar and the minutes later, Lowry had a chance herself however the ball skipped off the surface and she couldn’t direct her effort on target.
At the other end, Brianna Edwards was on debut for the Sky Blues and was called into action as she blocked from close range as the ball was cut back into the area.
As the rain continued to fall in Gosford, Shea Connors was the next to have a try as she cut inside onto her left foot and tried to curl one to the far post. Sarah Langman in the Mariners net was forced to plunge to her right and push the ball away from danger.
Next to try their luck was Millie Farrow who volleyed from the edge of the box but her attempt looped just enough for Langman to backtrack and push it away from danger.
The Mariners raced up the other end and won themselves a penalty for handball and Jade Pennock stepped up to slot it past Brianna Edwards in goal.
As the second half began, Sydney began with much the same intensity and had a big chance come and go via Shea Connors.
Millie Farrow drove into the box and cut it back to the late arriving American however she didn’t have enough time to sort her feet and the ball trundled wide of the upright.
With a swift move, the Mariners added a second and Isabel Gomez smashed the ball past a helpless Edwards.
Sydney FC didn’t give up and got a goal that their play had deserved.
Maddie Caspers drifted out to the left wing and played it into the feet of Shea Connors who laid the ball back to Princess Ibini and the number 20 made no mistake of the chance. curling it past the keeper and into the back of the net to give her side a lifeline.
It wasn’t to be for the visitors as the Mariners added their third and final goal of the afternoon through Bianca Galic who capitalised on a cross that wasn’t dealt with by the Sky Blue defence in the wet conditions.
Sydney will now re-group and will take on Brisbane Roar on Saturday afternoon in Queensland before returning home the week after against Western Sydney Wanderers at Leichhardt Oval.
Sydney FC: 1. Brianna EDWARDS (GK), 3. Faye BRYSON, 4. Tori TUMETH, 6. Shay HOLLMAN (26. Maddie CASPERS 60′), 7. Millie FARROW (20. Princess IBINI 72′), 8. Hana LOWRY, 9. Shea CONNORS, 12. Nat TOBIN (C), 15. Mackenzie HAWKESBY (2. Margaux CHAUVET 83′), 16. Jordan THOMPSON, 22. Indiana DOS SANTOS (24. Caley TALLON-HENNIKER 60′).
Unused Subs: 30. Tahlia FRANCO (GK).
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None.
Central Coast Mariners: 1. Sarah LANGMAN (GK), 2. Brianne RILEY, 3. Ash IRWIN, 4. Jessika NASH, 5. Annabel MARTIN (C), 6. Isabel GOMEZ, 7. Jade PENNOCK (19. Leia PUXTY 90’+2′), 10. Taylor RAY, 21. Brooke NUNN (16. Tess QUILLIGAN 77′), 22. Peta TRIMIS (11. Annalise RASMUSSEN 63′), 24. Shay EVANS (8. Bianca GALIC 46′).
Unused Subs: 17. Teresa MORRISEY (GK).
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
Venue: Industree Group Stadium, Gosford, NSW
Referee: Casey Reibelt
Attendance:
