A double from in-form striker Annalise Rasmussen has fired the Central Coast Mariners up into third on the Ninja A-League ladder after sealing a thrilling 3-2 win over Brisbane Roar.
The home side got off to an absolute flyer at polytec Stadium and it all came about from a move straight off the training ground.
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS TO THE NINJA A-LEAGUE
Thinking fast, defender Annabel Martin found Peta Trimis with a well-worked throw-in routine which resulted in Isabella Coco-Di Sipio smashing home Trimis’ cross to make it 1-0 in just the third minute.
Brisbane Roar weren’t behind for long though as they levelled things up in the 13th minute at polytec Stadium.
Cutting onto her left foot, Kiera Meyers lashed a long-range effort towards goal which was parried straight into the danger area by Mariners keeper Annalee Grove, with Roar forward Grace Kuilamu on hand to slot home her third goal of the season.
Five minutes later and Brisbane Roar were in front.
Receiving the ball down the Roar’s right flank, Ashlyn Miller hit the byline and stood up a teasing cross to the back post which was met by the head of Matildas winger Sharn Freier who nodded home via the post to bag her second goal of the campaign.
The visitors were dealt an injury blow midway through the first half as goalscorer Kuilamu was forced from the field with a suspected left knee injury was subsequently replaced by Zara Kruger.
ROUND PREVIEW: What you need to know for Round 11 of the Ninja A-League
With substitutions and subsequent injury concerns plaguing the first half in Gosford the officials tacked on six minutes of stoppage time before the break, and the Mariners would ultimately head into the sheds on level terms.
Mariners defender Martin launched a free kick into the box which was misjudged by Roar keeper Chloe Lincoln, with the ball eventually bouncing up for striker Annalise Rasmussen to head home her sixth goal of the season in what was the ninth minute of time added on.
A player in fine form, Rasmussen then bagged her seventh goal of the campaign in the 55th minute after she was put through one-one-one with the keeper by Isabel Gomez and cooly slotted the ball through Lincoln’s legs to make it 3-2.
The second half brace takes Rasmussen level at the top of the Golden Boot standings alongside Melbourne City gun Holly McNamara.
Brisbane boss Alex Smith was then forced to turn to his bench once again, this time substituting his earlier substitute Kruger, who herself was forced from the field due to injury.
The away side huffed and puffed in their pursuit of a late equaliser and felt aggrieved when Mariners midfielder Gomez wasn’t shown a second yellow card for a late challenge.
However, the home side held on to secure a vital win and banish the memories of last week’s 3-3 draw with Melbourne Victory, with victory moving them up into third on the ladder.
As for the Roar, defeat is their third of the campaign and leaves them sat in seventh spot on the ladder with nine points.
