Western beat Mariners in first ALW meeting

WESTERN United have continued their red-hot form with a 2-1 victory over Central Coast Mariners thanks to goals from Hannah Keane and Jaclyn Sawicki.

With the sides meeting on Saturday for the first time in the A-League Women, Keane broke the early 1-1 deadlock in the 28th minute with what would prove to be the match-winner.

An Adriana Taranto effort rebounded off the crossbar, landing neatly in front of Keane who delivered her third goal in two games to wrap up the points for United.

The American import has been directly involved in six goals across her last five starts.

It was second-placed United’s third-consecutive win – they have now lost once in seven – while Central Coast were condemned to their sixth loss of the season.

Western United burst from the blocks with captain and Philippines international Sawicki finding the net less than two minutes after the opening whistle at North Hobart Oval.

The lead was short-lived, prolific Mariners’ goal scorer Rola Badawiya finding the equaliser four minutes later after United were caught wide open.

Badawiya found the net again on 17 minutes, but her effort was chalked off after the American forward fouled Grace Maher in the build-up.

Matildas forward Kyah Simon came off the bench in the 72nd minute to make her second appearance for the Mariners since returning from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The former Tottenham player was soon after denied her first league goal in nearly four years, striking the post after a cross from Wurigumula.

Simon continued to pepper the net but was unable to salvage a point for her side.

– JOANNA GUELAS/ AAP