A host of fresh faces drove the Western NSW Mariners to an electric 3-1 victory over Gladesville Ravens FC on Sunday in their National Premier League 2 (NPL2) competition match.
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Missing several regulars, including Chloe Anlezark, Larissa Kilby and livewire forward Teegan Courtney, the young guard for the Mariners stepped up and delivered, controlling the whole game against fifth-placed Gladesville at Orange’s Jack Brabham Park.
With two 14-year-olds in Ella Rose and Anna Hunt starting on the pitch – the former making her debut – as well as two young guns in Sarah Morris and Sarah Colman taking key positions down back, Western were going into the game with far less experience than most sides in NPL2.
However, they didn’t show it, keeping cool heads on their way to the 3-1 win.
Coach Josh Ward said he was proud of the way his charges went about it on Sunday, saying the Mariners controlled the game from start to finish and didn’t let Gladesville build any momentum.
Jasmin Courtenay kicked the scoreboard into action halfway through the first half with a precise left-foot kick, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead heading into half time, before the young brigade took the step up, with Morris and Hunt sending home a chip kick and corner header respectively after the half.
The side was helped by Gladesville losing a player to a red card during the first half, but Ward said the Mariners’ dominance had already shown.
“We know no matter who’s missing, whoever comes in can do the job,” Ward said.
He said the side played smart football.
“We were in control, and we didn’t panic and turn the ball over where it could have hurt us, we held onto it,” he said.
“We probably could have won by more if we’d hit a few more shots or if things had gone our way, but I’m really proud of the girls.
“No-one gave us a chance against Gladesville so I’m really, really proud of them.”
Hunt in particular got a shout-out from Ward, with the 14-year-old play out wide for the first time in her short career on the football pitch and handling herself admirably, running out the full 90 minutes.
Not only that, she hit the header into the back of the net in the second half from a corner kick to put her side 3-1 up and the result beyond doubt.
“It was a big effort from her,” Ward said.
Morris and Colman were also impressive in the defensive line, with Morris especially impressive, and also nailing the chip kick over the Gladesville goalkeeper in the second half.
Meaghan Kempson was another Ward said performed well for the side after missing the previous game with illness.
“Her organisation and intensity in the midfield for the whole match was really important,” Ward said.
Now with two wins on the trot, Ward said he hoped the Mariners would be able to pick up some steam on the run home, with Western only leaving the region once in the next month.
“One hundred per cent it should give us an advantage, a lot of the Sydney teams don’t like coming out here,” he said.
WESTERN NSW MARINERS 3 defeated GLADESVILLE RAVENS 1
No-one gave us a chance against Gladesville so I’m really, really proud of them.
- Mariners coach Josh Ward