Mariners’ sluggish start saw the hosts slip to a 3-0 half-time deficit at Orange’s Sir Jack Brabham Park.

Western found a reply through Meaghan Kempson in a much-improved second half but Mariners would only find a solitary goal, going down 3-1.

The match shaped up as a great opportunity for the Mariners to make it three wins on the trot this season.

St George hadn’t won in their first 12 games of the year but the visitors were too good during an opening half blitz.

“I think we were pretty flat coming out of the sheds into the first half. They got three quick goals which deflated us and it took until the second half for us to get some aggression back,” goalscorer Kempson said.

“Unfortunately for us the game was lost in the first half. We certainly had more opportunities in the second half but couldn’t capitalise and we ran out of time.”

Kempson said St George’s position on the ladder was deceptive, and the Mariners were expecting the visitors to put up a big performance at Orange.

“We were missing a few key players. Jas Courtenay, our captain, was out and I think that played a big part in our mindset going into the game,” she said.

“In saying that, we’ve got a lot of depth in our squad. I was still confident the team we had could do the job.

“The nature of the competition is that anyone can beat anyone on their day. Marconi lost on Inter Lions on the weekend which bumped them down to seventh, and they started the season well and truly in the top four.

“It can be unpredictable and St George have been a bit unlucky not to get a result earlier in the season. It’s still disappointing to give them their first win.”

Western will need to improve in a hurry when they face the high flying APIA Leichhardt Tigers next round.