Melbourne City produced a commanding display on Saturday afternoon, defeating Central Coast Mariners 4–0 at the ctrl:cyber Pitch in our Ninja A-League home opener.
Persistent rain and blustery winds made for challenging conditions throughout, but Michael Matricciani’s side adapted brilliantly – controlling the contest from start to finish as Holly McNamara and Shelby McMahon both netted doubles in a standout team performance.
Team News
Michael Matricciani named an unchanged starting XI from last weekend’s hard-fought draw away to Sydney FC, rewarding the same group that earned a valuable point on the road.
There were a couple of changes on the bench, however, with Chinaza Uchendu missing due to a minor niggle and Ellie Wilson sidelined with concussion.
Deven Jackson came into the matchday squad for the first time since joining City after returning from international duty with the Football Ferns, while exciting young talent Kaya Jugovic was promoted to the substitutes bench.
Starting XI: 24. Malena MIERES (GK), 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 13. Rebekah STOTT (C), 5. Taylor OTTO, 3. Danielle TURNER, 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 14. Laura HUGHES, 6. Leticia McKENNA, 12. Shelby McMAHON, 21. Aideen KEANE, 9. Holly MCNAMARA.
Substitutes: 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 7. Danella BUTRUS, 10. Izabella RAKO, 11. Deven JACKSON, 17. Kaya JUGOVIC, 20. Caitlin KARIC.
What happened?
City adapted quickly to the slick surface and swirling conditions, moving the ball confidently and pressing high to keep the visitors pinned deep in their half for much of the opening stages.
A loose touch from the Mariners’ defence gifted Aideen Keane the game’s first real chance midway through the half, the winger forcing a turnover inside the area before being crowded out by recovering defenders.
City’s breakthrough arrived in the 32nd minute following a spell of sustained pressure. A corner delivery caused chaos in the box, Rebekah Stott’s initial shot blocked before Holly McNamara reacted quickest, tucking the rebound home from close range to open the scoring.
Matricciani’s side looked full of confidence from that point on and continued to carve out chances. McNamara turned provider just before the interval, threading a perfectly weighted through ball for Shelby McMahon, who calmly lifted a clever first-time finish over onrushing goalkeeper Sarah Langman to make it 2–0 on the stroke of half-time.
City picked up right where we left off after the restart, and McNamara soon doubled her tally from the penalty spot in the 53rd minute after being brought down inside the area. She confidently dispatched the spot kick, sending the keeper the wrong way to put her side three goals clear.
The 22-year-old came close to completing her hat-trick only minutes later, forcing another sharp save, as City continued to dominate in possession and territory.
With the contest well under control, McMahon rounded out the scoring in the 71st minute with her second of the afternoon. After the Mariners failed to clear their lines, the 17-year-old reacted quickest inside the box to slam home from close range and seal an emphatic victory.
At the other end, City’s defence barely put a foot wrong. The back four of Apostolakis, Stott, Otto and Turner were rock solid throughout, while Davidson, Hughes and McKenna controlled the midfield battle with composure and intensity.
There were also milestone moments late in the contest, as Deven Jackson made her City debut in the 66th minute and Izabella Rako came on for her professional debut – becoming the first female player to start in City Football Schools and go on to play for the senior team.
What’s next?
City now shifts focus to continental competition, set to depart for Vietnam ahead of the AFC Women’s Champions League Group Stage hub.
Our campaign begins on Thursday night with a clash against Lion City Sailors FC of Singapore, as Matricciani’s side looks to carry this strong early-season momentum onto the international stage.
