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Jade Pennock in action against Perth Glory in Round 19 of the 2024/25 A-League Women season. Photo Credit: Texi Smith

After a 28-hour delay to the fixture due to a flooded pitch after intense rainfall battered the region, the Central Coast Mariners advanced in the A-League Women finals.

The 2-1 victory in a very physical contest saw Michelle Heyman open the scoring just before half-time, which was cancelled out by Jade Pennock almost immediately after the start of the second half.

Pennock then scored the game-sealing goal in the 74th minute with a strike that will make competition highlight reels for years to come.

The Mariners forward said to Paramount+ after the game that after missing some chances in her last game she felt she should have scored, that she worked hard in training to pull out the goal.

Mariners coach Emily Husband said that she was elated for her side after the win, praising her squad for their effort and getting back in the game on the score sheet after what Husband felt was a first half that her side controlled.

She also praised the experience of Pennock, describing it as huge and noting it would be good for her confidence to get those goals.

“We see it every week in training and that’s why experienced players [are] worth their value so much because in big moments they can stand up,” Husband said.

“I’m really happy for her.”

At the other end, Sarah Langman was crucial, coming up with key saves throughout the contest to restrict Canberra to just the one goal from seven shots on target.

Husband praised the value that the shot-stopper brings to the side, noting that no back-line is complete without a quality goalkeeper.

Sarah Langman in action for the Central Coast Mariners against Perth Glory in Round 19 of the 2024/25 A-League Women season. Photo Credit: Texi Smith

On the other side of the equation was Canberra United, who’s season ended with no definitive direction on their future at this stage, despite some reported positive signs in March around its ownership future.

Heyman said on Paramount+ after the game that she was 100 per cent coming back next season, but also noted the reality of the situation by adding that she hopes Canberra is around next season and she’ll be in the squad.

For the Central Coast Mariners, a two-legged semi-final clash against Melbourne City awaits, and Husband said she was excited for the match-up.

“I was hoping that if we were to advance past this stage that it would be Melbourne City that we got, because ultimately you want to be here and you want to play against the best,” Husband said.

“I know that we can compete against any team in this league, so to see us get them and have them over two legs, it will be another challenge for us, it will be a different challenge for us, so now it’s just up to us to prepare the team.”

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