Mariners teenager continues breakout season with wondergoal to seal win over Phoenix

STUNNING GOAL | Tiana Fuller puts Mariners ahead in style

A long-range stunner from 16-year-old Central Coast rising star Tiana Fuller helped the Mariners to a 1-0 win over Wellington Phoenix at Woy Woy Oval on Sunday afternoon.

Fuller’s third Ninja A-League goal in an outstanding debut season was the difference between the two sides on their travels to Woy Woy as Emily Husband’s side broke back into the top six, leaping over Wellington Phoenix who dropped from fifth to sixth on the table after Round 13.

The Mariners are now unbeaten in three games (two wins, one draw) and building momentum for the second half of the Ninja A-League season.

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Fifteen minutes into the contest at Woy Woy Oval, the hosts had a big chance to break the deadlock when Annalise Rasmussen played teenage Fuller into the box for a one-on-one with Wellington keeper Carolina Vilão.

Fuller could have beaten Vilão by directing her strike to either the left or right of the outrushing keeper but failed to do so as her centrally-placed attempt nestled under the body of Vilão who saved the day for the Phoenix.

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The Mariners continued to create the better of the early chances and came close once again when Bianca Galic directed a header over the bar from close range from a corner routine. Minutes later, Olivia Fergusson did her best to inspire some attacking impetus for the Phoenix with an ambitious shot from distance that, like Galic’s earlier attempt, drifted too high.

The Phoenix finished the first half strong but both Fergusson and Grace Jale failed to convert in promising situations as the half-time whistle blew with the two sides locked level.

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Nine minutes after half-time, 16-year-old Fuller produced a moment of quality to fire the Mariners into the lead.

Under pressure from several Phoenix defenders closing the space, Fuller unleashed with a left-footed strike which evaded Vilão’s outstretched glove and struck the woodwork on its way over the line.

The Phoenix needed an equalising goal in Woy Woy and almost found one in the 64th minute through Jale whose towering header from a Wellington corner looked destined for the bottom-right corner before Mariners keeper Sarah Langman made a quick reaction save to keep her sheet clean.