The Western Mariners peppered the opposing goals but could only find the back of the net once as they picked up their third win of the season in Mudgee on Saturday.
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The 1-0 win over last-placed South Branch was the Mariners’ second on the trot after their 1-0 win over SD Raiders FC in round six last weekend, and goalkeeper Jess Daymond was stoked to keep a clean sheet.
While Daymond’s counterpart in the South Branch goals was kept busy, Daymond said she did well to combat the pace and aggressiveness of the Mariners forwards, who had some dozen chances goal, only for them to go wide or have crosses in intercepted.
The deadlock was broken in the first half as Jasmin Courtenay managed to slide one home, but Daymond and the Mariners were left ruing the chance to have a big win, with South Branch on the end of several drubbings this year, conceding 43 goals in seven rounds.
“We’re always happy to come away with the win … but there’s certainly room for improvement,” she said.
“Their goalkeeper saved quite a few, they’ve been getting hammered and their backline couldn’t quite keep up with our pace.”
Daymond said teenager Poortia Mcphillamy played out of her skin in the win.
“It was the best game I’ve seen her play,” Daymond said.
“She was tracking players and plugging the holes, making hard tackles and throwing herself in there … it was really good to see.”
Mariners have a huge challenge in their next game, as they travel to play ladder-leaders Sydney Olympic FC in their round eight game.
Sydney are unbeaten with six wins and one draw from their first seven games, and have only let 10 goals slip through their defence.
We’re always happy to come away with the win … but there’s certainly room for improvement.
- Jess Daymond