Women’s Trial Review – Manly United vs Central Coast Mariners
By Tobias Canning
Manly United’s latest pre-season trial match saw them come away with a thumping 4-0 victory over the Central Coast Mariners on Sunday afternoon at Cromer Park.
Tom Hopley’s side may have been missing a large number of players due to W-League duties, but that didn’t faze the home side. In their absence Manly United had four different players find the back of the net in what was an awesome team effort.
Grace Arnold and Emily Bastow were two who stood out for Manly United. Arnold broke up the opposition attack regularly and constantly put her body on the line while Bastow’s passing game was immaculate and led to a number of chances for the home side.
Manly opened the scoring through a penalty in the 10th minute, Sophie Nenadovic beating the opposition goalkeeper from the spot after a foul by Mariners defender Eloise Jones.
Manly had some strong build up play in the second half and it was rewarded in the 72nd minute when a pinpoint Grace free kick saw Corine Winkler strongly head the ball into the back of the net.
Just nine minutes later, Ellie Kerr had a rebounding ball land at her feet and she swiftly put it in to make it three.
Then in the 89th minute Phoebe Gilbane scored a rocket after a great attacking play to round things off for the day.
The girls are next in action this Sunday at Christie Park against the NWS Koalas FC. Kick-off is 5:30pm.
