Western has continued its push for a spot in the Football NSW State League women’s top four following a resounding 3-0 defeat of contenders St George FC on Sunday.
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Benefiting from home ground advantage at Jack Brabham Park, the Mariners girls snuck under the guard of the usually fast-starting St George outfit, scoring early through a classy finish from Jasmin Courtenay in front of goal to enjoy a 1-0 lead.
Western hung on to its single-goal advantage at the break before gun winger Jess Salomini starred in the second stanza, producing a quick-fire brace to extend her side’s buffer out to three goals.
The hosts’ defence then remained steadfast in the face of a St George rally over the course of the final quarter of the round 19 clash at Orange.
It’s a crucial win for Western as the Mariners look to keep season 2017 alive, with the victory over the fourth-placed St George outfit helping pull themselves closer to a finals berth.
The Mariners now find themselves one point behind fourth-placed St George as the next few weeks will prove crucial in both these teams seasons and finals hopes.
Western takes on a Mount Druitt Town Rangers team with no chance of pressing for a finals position in Sunday’s penultimate round before again travelling to play the third-placed University of NSW in the final round.
There’s still plenty on the line for both Mount Druitt and Western in their meeting, with just a single point separating the two in the club championships battle.
Meanwhile the Mariners men suffered their worst defeat of the season when they succumbed 8-1 on Saturday to a rampant Dulwich Hill FC side at Arlington Oval.
Mariners managed to best Dulwich Hill 1-0 in their meeting earlier this season at Proctor Park but Saturday’s meeting saw the Sydney club take revenge in full force.
Western managed to hit the front first but once the hosts found an equaliser the game became a one-sided affair.
Dulwich Hill broke the visitors’ hearts in the shadows of half-time when a Luke Giverin volley put his side up 4-1.
With finals football coming up for the club Dulwich Hill weren’t in any mood to take the foot off the accelerator.
Goals from Giverin, Henry Wells, Callaghan Sharpe and Ethan Bardsley helped push the final margin out to seven.
Mariners were lucky the gap wasn’t any larger after the hosts missed two penalties.
Mariners have avoided the bottom spot in the club championship battle and are continuing their fight for a top 10 finish in that race.
Western have an opportunity to hit back next week against Balmain Tigers FC.
