CommBank Matildas midfielder Chloe Berryhill suffered defeat on her return to the Ninja A-League as the Central Coast Mariners bagged a 2-0 win on Sunday night at Wanderers Football Park.
All eyes were on midfielder Berryhill who, having signed for the Wanderers at the back end of the week was straight into head coach Geoff Abrahams’ starting line-up at Wanderers Football Park.
Despite the international star’s presence on the pitch though, it was the Mariners who broke the deadlock in the 18th minute and it was a moment to savour for forward Isabella Coco-Di Sipio.
Racing on to a long ball over the top from Lorena Baumann, Coco Di-Sipio beat Wanderers keeper Sham Khamis to the ball before lifting her effort over the shot-stopper and into the net from a tight angle, registering her first ever goal in the Ninja A-League.
The away side then doubled their lead in the 28th minute and it was the inspirational Isabel Gomez who rifled home from the edge of the box, lashing the ball beyond Khamis, who had initially attempted to claim a cross into the box.
Behind at the break, the Wanderers went in search of a way back into the contest in the second half and South Korean forward Seoun Kim saw a good chance go begging in the 64th minute.
Matildas midfielder Berryhill lasted 67 minutes on her return to the Ninja A-League before being replaced, and the home side were then inches away from pulling one back.
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Timing her leap to perfection, defender Poppie Hooks powered a header back across goal which was destined for the back of the net before Mariners captain Taren King produced a stunning goal line clearance to hook the ball away to safety.
However, the home crowd finally had something to cheer about and it came from the boot of youngster Talia Younis in the 90th minute.
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With the ball bouncing around outside the Mariners box, Younis saw an opportunity and took it; unleashing a stunning, first-time effort which dipped over the head of Mariners keeper Annalee Grove, who could do nothing to prevent Younis scoring one of the goals of the season.
The home side pushed for a late equaliser but couldn’t find one, as the Mariners bagged their first away win of the season, and their second victory in as many weeks.
As for the Wanderers, defeat leaves them sat last on the ladder, after recording their fourth loss of the season.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
The Mariners opened the scoring through Isabella Coco-Di Sipio.
CommBank Matildas midfielder Isabel Gomez doubled their lead before half-time.
Talia Younis scored a stunning goal to make it 2-1 late in the game.
