Tiana Fuller’s first Ninja A-League goal on debut helped Central Coast Mariners rally to beat Canberra United 2-1 on Saturday.
An incredible goal-of-the-season contender from Maja Markovski gave Canberra a half-time lead in Gosford.
However, the Mariners flipped the Round 5 match on its head with two goals in the space of five minutes.
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Within four minutes of her introduction, Fuller equalised for the Mariners in a landmark goal for the teenager, who signed a scholarship deal heading into the 2024-25 season.
Then, fellow substitute Shadeene Evans put the Mariners ahead in the 68th minute – her first A-Leagues goal since 2019.
Central Coast remain unbeaten after five matches and two points behind Melbourne City, while slumping Canberra are fifth amid a three-game winless streak.
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Central Coast had the chance to break the deadlock in the 11th minute after Jade Pennock was fouled inside the box but the Englishman’s spot-kick was saved by Canberra goalkeeper Sally James.
From that point, Canberra – without legendary striker Michelle Heyman due to CommBank Matildas duty – had the better of the first half.
Markovski’s worldie six minutes before half-time put the visitors ahead and they should have had another prior to the break, however, Emma Robers somehow missed the target.
The Mariners had Sarah Langman to thank early in the second half after the goalkeeper produced a pair of saves to keep Canberra at bay. She denied Markovski and Aideen Keane approaching the hour mark.
Canberra were made to pay for their wastefulness as super-subs Fuller and Evans stunned the visiting side with quick-fire goals.
