By Anna Harrington
Central Coast have completed their A-League Women championship fairytale, with Isabel Gomez the hero in an upset win over Melbourne Victory on penalties in the grand final.
Injured Matildas captain Sam Kerr was among the 6568 on hand at AAMI Park as the Mariners – in just their second year back in the competition – pulled off a stunning underdog story, winning 5-4 on penalties after scores were locked at 1-1 following extra-time.
It’s party time as the Mariners celebrate their win on penalty shootout.Credit: Getty Images
Seven days after scoring a controversial semi-final winner against Melbourne City, Gomez pounced on a calamitous moment at the back from Victory’s Claudia Bunge in the 46th minute to score.
Bunge headed home the equaliser from a corner in the 80th minute, forcing the game to extra-time.
Victory were in disbelief when Mariners defender Taylor Ray wasn’t penalised for a clear handball in the box in the 93rd minute, while Sarah Langman made a brilliant save to deny Emily Gielnik a minute later.
The Mariners withstood wave after wave of Victory attacks to take the ALW decider to spot-kicks for the first time.
Isabel Gomez celebrates with Mariners fans.Credit: Getty Images
After Victory’s Alana Jancevski hit the crossbar with the opening penalty, Central Coast nailed every spot-kick, with Bianca Galic converting the winner to send the Mariners into ecstasy.
The triumph completes Central Coast’s dramatic run from fourth place, beating Canberra United, Melbourne City and Victory along the way.
Second-year coach Emily Husband earned her first trophy, denying Victory counterpart Jeff Hopkins a record fifth championship.
Gomez, fresh off a Matildas call-up, was outstanding throughout.
Skipper Taren King, Jessika Nash and Annabel Martin brilliantly kept Victory spearhead Gielnik quiet.
Gun midfielder Alana Murphy was arguably Victory’s best.
Central Coast took the lead when Galic pinched the ball off Sara D’Appolonia and found Annalise Rasmussen.
The striker’s shot deflected off Kayla Morrison and Bunge missed her attempted clearance, with Gomez nipping in and brilliantly chipping Courtney Newbon.
Victory’s equaliser arrived when Murphy whipped in a corner that was met by Bunge, and Martin couldn’t stop the ball crossing the line.
Morrison pulled off an extraordinary game-saving challenge on Rasmussen in injury time to ensure the match went to extra-time.
Victory peppered the Mariners’ goal time and time again but couldn’t break through.
– AAP
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