Melbourne City have solidified their place at the top of the Ninja A-League table with a stylish win over Central Coast Mariners.
Melbourne City sprung to life in the second half and beat the Mariners 3-1 thanks to goals from Bryleeh Henry, Rebekah Stott, and Aideen Keane. Isabel Gomez headed home a late consolation for the home side.
The win has helped them stave off second-placed Wellington Phoenix – who snatched a late draw against Melbourne Victory – and leaves them leading the competition by five points as it breaks for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
With Melbourne City struggling to find their feet in the early stages, 19 year-old Avaani Prakash put her class on display with some slick interplay that had the league-leaders scrambling.
The hosts created their best chance of the half when a dangerous, in-swinging cross from Tamar Levin was just too heavy for the arriving Peta Trimis.
The visitors responded with a promising attack of their own soon after, when Bryleeh Henry cut onto her left food and stung the gloves of Annalee Grove from outside of the area.
The league leaders came flying out of the blocks for the second half and–after failing to reach a cross a few minutes earlier – Henry arrived in the area to convert a tidy cut-back from Holly McNamara.
Melbourne City doubled their lead through the most unlikely of pairings when centre-back Taylor Otto reached the byline and pulled the ball back to captain Rebekah Stott who scored through a crowded penalty box.
Henry was involved again when she roamed across the Mariners defence and found Aideen Keane who finished strongly and put a well-deserved cherry atop her admirable performance in Gosford.
The Mariners added a spark to the closing stages when Isabel Gomez climbed highest and headed home following a long, floated free kick, but it would only serve as consolation as the visitors saw the game out.
Central Coast Mariners will return to Ninja A-League action when they face Perth Glory on March 21. Melbourne City will face Canberra United on March 15.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
WHAT THEY SAID
Avaani Prakash
Holly McNamara
