In a thrilling conclusion to the regular Liberty A-League season, Central Coast Mariners and Western United battled to a hard-fought draw at Gosford’s Industree Group on Easter Thursday evening, March 28.
The match, filled with tension and near-misses, ended with both teams securing a point apiece in a game showcasing up-and-coming young talent and seasoned professionals.
Eighteen-year-old Annalise Rasmussen, coming off the bench, nearly tipped the scales in favour of the Mariners with a goal that appeared to seal the win.
However, a late equalizer in the 82nd minute by Western United’s Kiara De Dimizio ensured the visitors would not leave empty-handed.
Mariners’ coach Emily Husband made strategic adjustments to the starting lineup, introducing Paige Hayward and Peta Trimis in place of Ash Irwin and Wurigumula.
Trimis’s inclusion marked her first start since returning from the AFC U20 Women’s Asia Cup.
The game kicked off with the Mariners asserting their dominance early on.
Kyah Simon’s header rattling off the bar and Bianca Galic’s subsequent attempt being blocked set the tone for a game that would see both sides hitting the woodwork.
Western United responded with their own threats, notably a long-range effort from Izzy Gomez that narrowly missed the mark and a volley from Tyla Jay Vlajnic that skimmed the crossbar.
Rasmussen’s introduction injected fresh energy into the Mariners’ attack as the game progressed.
Her goal, a precise finish past Western United’s goalkeeper Alyssa Dall’Oste, highlighted her growing reputation as a finisher.
Despite this, the Mariners were unable to hold onto their lead, conceding an equaliser that left the final standings on the Liberty A-League ladder pending other weekend results.
The draw confirms the Mariners’ place in the finals, but their position, whether at home or away for the elimination match, hinges on the outcomes of Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne Victory’s final games.
As the regular season wraps up, both Central Coast Mariners and Western United will reflect on a match that encapsulated the highs and lows of Australian women’s professional football, with young talents shining and the unpredictability of the game on full display.