ALW round one kicks off with a huge upset and goal bonanza but the fans were the big winners

Central Coast Mariners have pulled off a remarkable upset in the opening round of the ALW that highlighted how much promise the league has. ERIN SMITH relives all the best highlights the weekend.

Central Coast Mariners pulled off a shock upset against reigning two-time premiers Sydney FC in an opening round that proved just how much potential the A-League’s Women’s has.

Future talent wasn’t all that was on show with Paramount/Network 10 giving fans a rare look at how women’s football should be broadcast.

Changes to the deal between Australian Professional Leagues and the network mean that 10 women’s matches will be shown on 10 Bold this season. That’s up on the single game scheduled last year.

It was given the star treatment – a pre-game show, on-site commentators, halftime show and post-match wrap up which included pitch side player interviews.

Standards normally reserved for the men’s games.

And as the match doubled as a double header there were more than the usual one or two cameras set aside for women’s matches – with multiple angles and instant replays.

The crowd did not reach the expected numbers, mostly due to the torrential rain – only time will tell how many tuned in to watch from their comfy couches at home.

It was a tight affair in the first half but Central Coast finished with a 1-0 lead on the back of a penalty.

Central Coast pulled off a colossal upset of Sydney FC. Picture: Getty

Isabel Gomez got the second in the 62nd minute.

The Sky Blues battled to get back in the match. It was Princess Ibini, who until this clash had started the last 75 games for Sydney FC, who provided the away team a glimmer of hope in the 83rd minute.

Mariners’ Bianca Galic snuffed any hope the Sky Blues had when she knocked in her team’s third.

It becomes the latest chapter in a growing rivalry between these two NSW clubs.

English import Jade Pennock proved a very successful signing by the Mariners – she dominated the game – even scoring a goal.

“We’ve had along pre-season we’ve worked really hard, proud we could get the three points today,” Pennock said post match

“It’s been tough to get used to the heat but we’ve not had it today, it’s a new challenge for me which is what I wanted, to get on the scoresheet is special for me.

“The standard is good, very athletic, very transitional, I’m probably the fittest I’ve ever been. I’m getting used to it.

“We want to be hard to break down and when we win the ball back we want to score on the counter attack.”

Isabel Gomez celebrates a goal that helped deliver the Mariners’ stunning win. Picture: Getty

Sky Blues coach Ante Juric said while there were some promising moments from his side the short pre-season meant they weren’t quite hitting their strides yet.

“We were quite good in the first half, we had some good chances,” Juric said post match.

“We have away three goals, which is not like us, that’s part of life and we move on.

“The short five week pre-season is not ideal but it is what is, but there are no excuses. We are not fluent yet and there are a few new players but we’ll get there.”

It is a long season and there is plenty of time still left for Sydney FC to be the first team from either the men’s or women’s competitions to win three consecutive championships.

A fact Juric said he was oblivious to, until pointed out by this masthead.

“All I care about is the week to week stuff, the girls know that,” Juric said.

“Ultimately wherever that leads us it leads us but it would be nice if we were the first.”

Chloe Logarzo helped steer Western United to a heavy victory. Picture: Getty

IN OTHER GAMES

Western United 4 def Wellington Phoenix 2

Goals: WU: Chloe Logarzo, Aimee Medwin, Kahli Johnson, Catherine Zimmerman. WP: Sasha Grove (OG), Emma Main (P)

Post match Western United’s Chloe Logarzo said:

“It was a sensational Friday night game, the girls had been waiting a long time for this. It wasn’t our best performance but at the end of the day we got our three points to kick off our season. It is everything we’ve been doing on the training pitch and we feel free to play.”

Canberra United 3 def Brisbane Roar 2

Goals: CU: Maja Markovski (2), Mary Stanic-Floody. Roar: Evdokiya Dimitrova Popadinova, Deborah-Anne De la Harpe

All three Matildas backed up, but played limited minutes, after only arriving back from Germany a few nights ago. The win is a big statment from Canberra who are desperate to improve on their 11th placed finish last season. Maja Markovski didn’t take long to make her mark on the competition. The former Victory player missed last season’s A-League but worked her way back in after claiming the golden boot in the NPL competition. She is shaping as a threat to take the same aware in the ALW.

Melbourne Victory 3 def Adelaide United 2

Goals: MV: Emily Gielnik (x2), Ava Briedis. ADEL: Fiona Words (x2)

A final minute screamer of a goal from Ava Briedis secured Melbourne Victory the three points. Adelaide United put up a strong fight against a stacked Victory team.

Melbourne City 5 def Perth Glory 2

Goals: City: Rhianna Pollicina (2), Kathryn Harvey (2), Laura Hughes. Glory: Kelli Brown, Miku Sunaga

The defender premiers have proved they mean business again this season with a dominant performance in the opening round. They had to fight their way back into the match after Glory went 2-0 by the 51st minute.

Glory’s Kellie Brown was first on the board with what could turn out to be the goal of the season- banging it in from 40m out.

Newcastle Jets 2 draw Western Sydney Wanderers 2

Goals: Jets: Deveb Jackson, Lauren Allan. WSW: Sophie Harding, Sienna Saveska

Wanderers Sophie Harding, the reigning Julie Dolan winner, wasted no time opening her account scoring in the fourth minute.

Jets should have emerged the victors though getting 25 shots at goal to WSW 10. Both of Jets goals came in the second half- highlighting some defensive issues with the WSW side.