A sharp second half display saw Central Coast Mariners score a 2-0 win over Adelaide in their round two Westfield W-League clash at Bluetongue Stadium in Gosford.
The Mariner goals in the 73rd and 87th minutes were both well-finished in the difficult conditions and saw then move to the top of the table in style.
The result gave home fans plenty to smile about in the Mariners first women’s match at Bluetongue Stadium since the competition’s inception.
Both sides started the match slowly in the wet conditions, with Adelaide having the best chance of the opening half, with a free kick taken by Angela Fimmano hitting the crossbar on the half hour.
The Mariners finished the half the stronger and took the momentum into the second stanza.
The home side had half a dozen chances early on in the second half, before Trudy Camilleri gave the Mariners fans plenty to cheer about just seven minutes after coming on.
Camilleri pushed the ball past Adelaide goalkeeper Sian McLaren at close range to break the deadlock in the 73rd minute.
The goal saw both sides step up the intensity, with an Adelaide free kick coming off the crossbar just three minutes later.
Lydia Vandenburgh set up the Mariners second goal to seal the result with three minutes remaining.
The American import stormed down the left flank and put a strong cross in for Ashleigh Connor to finish from close range.
Mariners coach Stephen Roche was thrilled with his side’s second win from as many matches.
“We started really slowly and weren’t really awake,” Roche said.
“But we came out well in the second half. We showed the commitment and the will to win.”
Roche said the early season successes would give him some pleasant selection headaches in the weeks to come.
Adelaide hosts Melbourne on Saturday in Round 3 action, while the Mariners travel to Ballymore Stadium for a top of the table clash against Brisbane on Sunday.
