The race to win the Premiership will go down to the last game of the Ninja A-League season after Melbourne Victory bagged a seventh-win in a row to defeat Central Coast Mariners 1-0 at Industree Group Stadium
Despite being second-best in the first-half it was Victory who broke the deadlock in the 58th minute; defender Claudia Bunge heading home the opener from a Victory corner.
Needing just a point to book themselves a spot in this year’s Finals Series the Mariners huffed and puffed but ran out of steam in the second-half as they pushed to find an equaliser.
A club-record extending seventh win in a row moving Victory back to within two points of rivals Melbourne City at the top of the ladder as City travel to Perth on the final day of the season while Victory host Brisbane Roar.
As for the Mariners, failure to secure a point at home means their wait to secure finals football this season continues, however they will qualify for the post-season should Brisbane Roar fail to win this weekend.
The home side settled quickest at Industree Group Stadium and almost took the lead in the 16th minute.
Pouncing on a loose ball inside the Victory half, the Mariners sprung forward as Annalise Rasmussen combined with Isabel Gomez to release the latter down the left before she picked out Jade Pennock inside the box however the English forward’s low shot was well-saved by Newbon.
Seemingly frustrated by her failure to find the opener, Pennock then sent a ferocious effort towards goal from distance soon after which flew narrowly over the bar.
Aware that only a win would be enough, Victory mustered their best chance of the first-half in the 36th minute as captain Kayla Morisson headed an effort towards goal which forced a smart save from Sarah Langman.
However Langman was eventually beaten and it came courtesy of a header from Bunge in the 58th minute.
Peeling off to the back post, Bunge connected perfectly with Alex Chidiac’s in-swinging delivery to power the away side in front in this crucial clash.
Almost immediately after going behind, the Mariners broke forward at pace but once again Pennock’s accuracy abandoned her as she fired her shot high over the bar.
Now trailing Melbourne City’s Holly McNamara in the race for the Golden Boot, prolific striker Emily Gielnik was replaced in the 75th minute but fellow forward Holly Furphy as Victory attempted to seal the win.
Langman was called into action in the 84th minute as Alana Jancevski curled a low free-kick around the wall but the keeper was more then equal to the effort.
The home fans were given something to cheer in the 85th minute as captain Taren King returned to action for the first time in over 15-months following an ACL injury.
Heart rates were raised in the 90th minute as Daniela Galic was brought down right on the edge of the box with referee Page Malau-Aduli correctly awarding a free-kick rather than a penalty.
Now desperate to find the equaliser that would see them secure a spot in the finals, the Mariners couldn’t make the most of their opportunity though as Anabel Martin drove the short free-kick straight into the arms of Newbon.
