Gosford Showdown: Western Sydney Wanderers Claim Dramatic Stoppage-Time Victory

Another week brings yet another victory for the Western Sydney Wanderers, who dramatically overturned a deficit to shock the Central Coast Mariners with a 2-1 triumph in the Ninja A-League.

The Mariners opened the scoring with Isabel Gomez’s goal in the 68th minute at Industree Group Stadium, but that proved to be their high point in a thrilling Friday night encounter.

Olivia Price levelled the match in the 80th minute, before Holly Caspers, who came off the bench, clinched the win with a goal in the 93rd minute, steering the rejuvenated Wanderers to their third straight victory.

Currently enjoying their finest winning streak since March 2024, the Wanderers now sit ninth in the table, trailing the top six by nine points, while the Mariners are clinging to a finals position, just one point ahead, after suffering three consecutive matches without a win.

In the balmy conditions of Gosford, the contest was closely fought as the Mariners and Wanderers exchanged several promising opportunities during the first half.

Annalise Rasmussen of Central Coast posed a consistent threat and forced Western Sydney goalkeeper Sham Khamis into a series of quick saves early on, with her effort in the ninth minute testing the visiting gloveman.

Despite arriving with a two-game winning streak, the Wanderers could not convert their chances into goals in the first half.

Central Coast maintained their intensity in the second half and finally broke the deadlock 22 minutes from time.

Tess Quilligan executed a brilliant defence-splitting pass to release CommBank Young Matildas star Peta Trimis, who set up Gomez to slot it home from close range.

Substitute Tiana Fuller had a golden opportunity to extend the lead in the 72nd minute but unfortunately missed the target.

However, the Western Sydney side refused to back down and managed to equalise with just 10 minutes left in regulation.

Fresh from claiming the Golden Boot during the Young Matildas’ victorious PacificAus Four Nations Tournament in Canberra, Sienna Saveska delivered a brilliant assist to set up Price.

But the Wanderers weren’t finished yet, as Caspers took full advantage of a Central Coast error in stoppage time, slipping into the box to score and seal the victory for Western Sydney.