Glory ALW Head Coach Stephen Peters believes that Friday’s away clash with Central Coast Mariners will have a distinct Finals feel about it (kick-off at 4pm WST, watch live and FREE on 10Play).
Click HERE to view his full pre-match media conference
Buoyed by an impressive 3-0 home victory over Western United last time out, the women in purple will make the trip to Industree Group Stadium looking to close the nine-point gap which separates them from the Mariners who currently occupy the last Finals berth.
And Peters is keenly aware of the potential magnitude of a victory in Gosford.
“If you’re talking about Finals, this is a Finals-style game,” he said.
“We’ve got to get through this one, get the three points and then we’ll have a different conversation next week.
“It’s very important for us to try and get our first away win and we’ve only got two left…and we want to try and back up the performance from Friday, particularly defensively.
“We were happy with a few things that we’ve been working on for a long time.
“If we can replicate those, I think we’ll go a long way to giving Central Coast some dramas.”
The Mariners inflicted one of Glory’s two home defeats this term when they claimed the spoils at HBF Park in late December and although their form has dipped in recent weeks, Peters will not be underestimating them.
“They are a very resolute team, they’re well-organised and pretty tactically aware,” he said.
“They are a tough team and although they’ve lost three in a row, if you look at the way they’ve lost them, they’ve been in those games for long periods and they have been tough games.
“The focus for them is obviously to stay in the six, so the three points is huge for them.
“I’m expecting a tough, hard-fought game and we’ve really got to be ready for the level of effort that is going to be required to go there and bring home three points.”
The Head Coach went on to reveal that his side plan to take the game to the hosts right from the off.
“We’ve got to score goals, we’ve got to go out there and not be shy and attack,” he said.
“We look our best when we’re on the front foot.
“We need to not be afraid of the occasion of the game, if you will, but go out there, play in a positive style, get in their faces and let them know that we’re there to compete and get three points.”
In terms of early team news, Peters confirmed that Georgia Cassidy is closing in on a sooner-than-expected return to action, although the midfielder will not make the trip to Gosford.
Grace Johnston, meanwhile, is a chance to return, but Ella Abdul Massih is again likely to miss out through injury.
Prior to their recent run of defeats, the Mariners had gone five games unbeaten and have been particularly resolute on their travels this term, losing just twice.
Among the standout performers for Emily Husband’s side have been English duo Jade Pennock and Brooke Nunn who have contributed a combined total of six goals and five assists, while former Glory ‘keeper Sarah Langman has started every game and teenage forward Tiana Fuller has found the net four times despite making only three starts.
Saturday will mark the sixth overall meeting between the two sides, with Central Coast having secured four wins to Glory’s one.
Match Details
Ninja A-League 2024-25 Season Round 19
Central Coast Mariners v Perth Glory
Industree Group Stadium
Friday 14 March 2025
Kick-off: 4pm WST
Central Coast Mariners squad: 1 Sarah LANGMAN, 2. Jessica SEAMAN, 4. Jessika NASH, 5. Annabel MARTIN, 6. Isabel GOMEZ, 7. Jade PENNOCK, 8. Bianca GALIC, 10. Taylor RAY, 11. Annalise RASMUSSEN, 12. Tiana FULLER, 13. Sarah ROWE, 14. Greta KRASZULA, 16. Tess QUILLIGAN, 20. Chloe CARMICHAEL, 21. Brooke NUNN, 22. Peta TRIMIS, 23. Lily MCMAHON, 25. Blake HUGHES
(Two to be omitted)
Ins: 8. Bianca GALIC
Outs: 24 Shay EVANS
Perth Glory squad: 1.Casey DUMONT (gk), 2.Mischa ANDERSON, 3.Hollie PALMER, 5.Grace JOHNSTON, 6.Tijan MCKENNA, 7.Megan WYNNE, 10.Susan PHONSONGKHAM, 11.Natalie TATHEM, 13.Naomi CHINNAMA, 14.Miku SUNAGA, 18.Izzy FOLETTA, 19.Sarah O’DONOGHUE, 21.Miranda TEMPLEMAN (gk), 23.Izzy DALTON (c), 25.Ella LINCOLN, 27.Charli WAINWRIGHT, 29.Onyinyechi ZOGG, 44.Kelli BROWN
(two to be omitted)
Ins: 5.Grace JOHNSTON, 14.Miku SUNAGA
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 8.Georgia CASSIDY (injured), 9.Gabby HOLLAR (injured), 16.Bella WALLHEAD (injured), 20.Ella ABDUL MASSIH (injured)
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