In a thrilling display of football prowess, the Central Coast Mariners clinched a commanding 3-0 triumph over Canberra United in the Liberty A-League on a vibrant Saturday evening on December 23.
The match, set against the backdrop of the nation’s capital, saw the Mariners exhibit a blend of tactical acumen and raw talent.
The star of the evening was undoubtedly Wurigumula, who dazzled the crowd with two goals, one before and one after the interval.
Her initial strike was a masterpiece – a contender for the goal of the season.
The victory was cemented in the 74th minute by Peta Trimis, who netted her first professional goal, leaving the Canberra defence in disarray.
Staying true to her winning formula, Emily Husband fielded an unchanged lineup from the team’s last commendable draw against Melbourne City.
Husband’s call for enhanced creativity in the attacking front bore fruit, propelling her team to their most significant win of the season.
The game commenced with both teams engaging in an energetic tug-of-war for the opening goal.
Canberra’s shining beacon, Vesna Milivojevic, rattled the woodwork early in the match, signalling their intent.
The Mariners responded in kind, with Coco Majstorovic pulling off a spectacular save to deflect Bianca Galic’s robust strike.
The match’s first goal was a spectacle – a sensational finish by Wurigumula, who, after a quick assessment, opted for an audacious shot into the top corner.
This spurred the Mariners further, as they relentlessly pursued a second goal.
Rola Badawiya and Wurigumula continued to pressure Canberra’s defence, with the latter almost doubling her tally with another long-range effort.
Faye Bryson’s near miss at the 40th minute mark, a curling shot following a short corner, was expertly parried by Majstorovic.
The Mariners maintained their dominance into the second half, with Galic once again denied by Majstorovic.
The introduction of Trimis at half-time added fresh vigour to the Mariners’ attack.
A combined effort from Wurigumula and Badawiya nearly paid off, but Majstorovic was again up to the task.
A valiant defensive block from Taren King dashed Canberra’s hopes of levelling.
The Mariners’ relentless assault bore fruit in the 69th minute when Wurigumula, assisted by Paige Hayward, navigated past the defence to score her second goal.
She nearly completed a hat-trick shortly after but narrowly missed the target.
The final nail in the coffin was delivered by Trimis, who coolly finished off a well-orchestrated play, marking the third goal.
The Mariners now set their sights on upcoming home games against Perth Glory and Sydney FC, with their recent victory bolstering their confidence and positioning them as a formidable force in the league.