Western United and Central Coast Mariners drew 0-0 at Ironbark Fields on Friday night as both clubs kept their unbeaten starts to the 2024-25 Ninja A-League season rolling.
Both Western and the Mariners enjoyed Round 1 victories but there was nothing to separate the two early frontrunners in Tarneit.
The goalless draw featured plenty of opportunities at either end, with Central Coast’s Sarah Langman the busier of the two goalkeepers on the night.
Having taken one point each from the Friday-night encounter, the two teams moved up to first (Western) and second (Central Coast) on the table, however their respectively lofty positions are likely to change as Round 2 continues through the weekend.
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WEEKEND PREVIEW: What you need to know ahead of Round 2 of the Ninja A-League season
A goalless first half was full of chances at either end as the two sides delivered an entertaining start to the Friday night clash. The hosts took 11 shots to the Mariners’ three in the opening 45 and although Western put five shots on target, Mariners keeper Sarah Langman stood tall to deprive the Green & Black an opener.
Off-season Mariners signing Jade Pennock was one of the stars of Round 1 with a goal on debut and the English forward came within centimetres of a breakthrough goal with a half-volley struck just wide of the top-left corner.
Chloe Logarzo got on the end of a superb team move for Western and a deft touch into the box opened space to shoot but the Matildas midfielder’s attempt was too central, and was comfortably saved by Langman.
The best chance of the first half fell to Mariners young gun Peta Trimis seven minutes before the break; played down the left side of the penalty area by Pennock, Trimis attempted to lift the ball over Alyssa Dall’Oste in Western’s goal but Grace Maher cleared the danger.
Four minutes after the restart, Western defender Aimee Medwin was presented with a chance to give the home side the lead. Medwin got on the end of a dangerous cross off the left wing but couldn’t keep the ball down and her close-range effort floated over the crossbar.
More than 70 minutes elapsed without a goal to either side before Kahli Johnson took it upon herself to create a chance out of nothing.
Spotting Langman off her line, Johnson drove a long-range effort on goal that looped over the Mariners keeper but struck the crossbar in a lucky escape for the visitors.
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With four points apiece after Round 2, Western’s attention will turn to a Victorian derby against Melbourne Victory next weekend; the Mariners will also head to Melbourne to take on Melbourne City in Round 3.
WEEKEND PREVIEW: What you need to know ahead of Round 2 of the Ninja A-League season
