The Mariners Women travelled to Wellington and came away with all three points with 2-1 win.
Conditions in Wellington had our women playing with a very strong wind that at times was so strong that it was difficult to take goal and free kicks as it was blowing the ball.
Wellington started the better of the two teams playing into the wind with play for most of the first 15 minutes was in the Mariners half.
The Mariners would score first in the 16th minute. A free kick awarded to us just outside the penalty area had Peta Trimis taking control. Her shot cleared the top of the Wellington wall and beat the Wellington goalkeeper, curling inside the left-hand post.
From here play seemed to be evenly shared until Wellington scored in the 28th minute. An error by Mariners’ goalkeeper Grove gifted an opportunity that the Wellington attack eventually converted to level the score.
The match seemed to be headed to be level going into half-time with both teams having chances.
However, it was the Mariners who would score in the 2nd minute of extra time for the first half. A great cross from Prakash, finding Levin on the left. Levin was able to take control at waist height with her right foot, finishing the opportunity with her left foot.
Half-time score 2-1 to Mariners.
This set up a second half with Mariners playing into the wind that seemed to be stronger than it was in the first half.
Most of the play in the second half was in the Mariners half with the home side unable to convert two opportunities. The Mariners’ defenders played extremely well given the conditions, helping the Mariners to grind out the match to keep the final score at 2-1.
The Mariners Women next match is against Melbourne City in Gosford on 20th February with kick-off scheduled for 7:00pm (AEDT).
