Reigning Ninja A-League champions Central Coast Mariners have kick-started their title defence with a statement win, defeating Adelaide United 3-0 at polytec Stadium.
The home side didn’t see much of the ball in the first half, but they did make it count in front of goal; new signing Isabella Coco-Di Sipio’s left-footed cross converted at the far post by the arriving Peta Trimis.
The Mariners then doubled their lead just two minutes later; Trimis going from scorer to provider as her pinpoint low ball across the face of goal was turned home by new signing Jynaya Dos Santos to make it 2-0.
Fresh off the bench, CommBank Matildas star Isabel Gomez then put the icing on the cake as she curled home a stunning effort from the edge of the box to give the defending Ninja A-League Champions the perfect start to the season.
Adelaide United forward Erin Healy had claims for late penalty waved away despite replays suggesting it should have been given on what was a disappointing day for an Adelaide side that reached last season’s semi-finals.
The win means it’s a victorious start to life a polytec Stadium for new Mariners head coach Kory Babington, who replaced former head coach Emily Husband after she left the side to take up a coaching position within the Matildas set-up.
