An 85th-minute Jade Pennock strike inspired Central Coast Mariners to a 1-0 win over Perth Glory at HBF Park on Friday night.
A mix-up in defence between Gory defender Naomi Chinnama and goalkeeper Casey Dumont was the catalyst for the Mariners’ winner as Pennock took possession in the box and finished into an open net.
The result sent the Mariners back into the top six and ended eighth-placed Glory’s two-game unbeaten run.
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Glory almost took an early lead at HBF Park when Isobel Dalton sent a shot from distance hurtling towards the top-left corner – but Sarah Langman had other ideas.
The Mariners keeper and former Glory player leapt to her right to tip Dalton’s effort around the post in a sensational piece of goalkeeping.
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Glory kept up the early pressure and came close once again through Natalie Tathem whose header from a corner routine went just over the bar.
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Four minutes into the second half, an opportunity presented for Gabby Hollar to put the hosts on top but a fingertip save from Langman sent the ball over the bar and out for a corner.
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The tight contest looked set to end 0-0 until a long ball over Glory’s defensive line led to a touch from Chinnama which took the ball around Dumont, who had rushed off her line in an attempt to clear the danger.
Pennock took full advantage of the defensive mistake, gathering possession and finishing into an unguarded net to steal all three points for the visitors.
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