Central Coast Mariners and Perth Glory played out a thrilling 1-1 draw at polytec Stadium as a Peta Trimis Olimpico saw the home side come from behind to claim a point.
Leading the race for the Golden Boot, Mariners striker Annalise Rasmussen was denied a ninth goal of the season in just the eighth minute by Perth keeper Teresa Morrissey who got down well to deny the striker at close quarters.
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Six minutes later Rasmussen was causing problems once again, this time turning Lorena Baumann’s brilliant low cross over the bar as another good chance went begging whilst Peta Trimis then fired narrowly wide of the target in the 21st minute.
Glory took the lead in the 33rd minute as Susan Phonsongkham was in the right place at the right time to hammer home a volley from inside the box after the Mariners were caught trying to play out from the back.
The Mariners pulled themselves level in the 62nd minute and it came from a piece of ingenuity from Mariners midfielder Trimis.
Shaping as though she was about to curl an out-swinging corner into the box, Trimis’ right footed delivery actually sailed towards the target, kissed the crossbar before it was helped into the far corner by the flailing glove of Morrissey.
With the wind now in their sails the Mariners began to up the ante and thought they’d snatched the lead as Rasmussen converted from close range, however the striker had strayed into an offside position before scoring and the goal was chalked off.
The current Golden Boot leader then wasted another brilliant chance moments later, this time lifting an effort high over the bar when it looked for all the world that she’d score.
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The result means the Mariners stay third on the ladder and move two points clear of fourth-placed Melbourne Victory.
Meanwhile the draw for Perth Glory sees them move into sixth on the ladder as their two-game winning run comes to an end.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
WHAT THEY SAID
Perth Glory goalscorer Susan Phonsongkham scored a brilliant opening goal at polytec Stadium.
Peta Trimis might not get credited with the goal that helped her side snag a point but she sure played her part.
