Western NSW Mariners FC came close to becoming the first team to knock over unbeaten NSW National Premier Leagues 2 women’s leaders Sydney Olympic during a valiant performance at Lithgow.
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Inside the injury time window of the second half Mariners and Olympic were level at 1-all but a successful Lieke Bever penalty kick gave the visitors a late lead.
It was a disappointing end to what had been one of the Mariners’ best performances of the season, and it had come minus strike pair Meaghan Kempson and Jasmin Courtenay.
The Mariners defence had been at the top of their game to deny the competition’s most dangerous forward duo of Bever and Madelaine Costanzo. The pair came into the game with 47 goals between them.
Olympic wouldn’t find a goal in open play from their own boot.
Instead, the only change to the scoreboard in the opening half came courtesy of a Mariners own goal.
Western came into the second term fired up and their persistence was rewarded around the 80th minute when Brydie Comiskey levelled the scores.
Her goal led to jubilant scenes at Marjorie Jackson Oval and gave the Mariners a shot at causing the biggest upset of the season.
A draw against Olympic would still have felt like a win for a Mariners team sitting eight places below the competition leaders on the ladder.
But Olympic spoiled that party in the face of an enthusiastic defence.
“They didn’t really break us down at all, which was a really good sign. Their 9 and 10 have nearly 50 goals between them this season so it was great for us not to be broken down in normal play,” Mariners coach Josh Ward said.
“We had 10 minutes to hold on for a draw and got bodies behind the ball. Before the game we’d changed to a 4-5-1 formation, we normally play 4-3-3.
“That helped us get bodies behind the ball and frustrate them a bit. They were shooting from long range and doing things they wouldn’t normally do.
“They play a back three, which means there’s space in behind for our wingers to exploit. It was a high work rate for the wingers but they did really well.
“It would have been nice to get the draw but sometimes you get a bit of luck and sometimes you don’t.
“Our season has not been too bad. We’ve had seven wins and if you turn around a couple of narrow losses then we’re up around fifth spot.”
Ward said Comiskey picked a great game to find her first goal of the season
“Everyone was over the moon for her,” he said.
“She’s been working so hard off the ball and she’s texting me asking what she can do to improve and she always wants to learn.
“She was playing up the back … but she’s happy with a move up front and she’s taken to it really well. She was probably one of our best players on the day.”
