MILDURA soccer export Annabel Martin and her Central Coast Mariners teammates have their sights set on their first ever A-League grand final.
Following a scoreless draw against Melbourne Victory in their elimination final last weekend, the NSW outfit prevailed in a penalty shootout 4-2 to qualify for the semi-final.
Mariners are into the two-leg semi against second-placed Sydney FC, first at home in Gosford on Sunday before the return fixture next Saturday, April 27, at Leichardt Oval in Sydney.
The winner heads into the grand final and will face either Melbourne City or Newcastle Jets.
Martin, who has started on the left-hand side of a back five so far this season, has played 19 matches, including 16 starts, and provided four assists in a solid campaign.
Defensively, the full-back has a 74.3 per cent tackle success rate and has won 33 fouls while conceding just eight.
Due to a lack of funding Central Coast, a founding member of the former W-League, were forced to pull out of the 2010-11 season and remained on hiatus until their return to the competition this season.
Under coach Emily Husband, the Mariners recorded 10 wins and five draws in their 22-game home-and-away season return to the league.
Martin, 25, a former Young Matildas player, burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old for Melbourne Victory, amassing 39 appearances as well as winning the Victory medal in just her third season of A-League women’s football.
She was also a member of the inaugural Wellington Phoenix squad in 2021 following a stint with Newcastle, alongside a prolific NPL career with Sydney University, including first grade championships in 2019, 2020 and 2022.
Injuries have affected recent seasons for the Football Federation Sunraysia graduate, who came into the season as one of the more experienced squad players alongside the likes of Matildas forward Kyah Simon, midfielder Taren King and Chinese forward Wurigumula.
“It’s great to be back playing after a few really tough years with injuries so I’m not taking the opportunity for granted,” she told Sunraysia Daily in October.
“I remember what it was like for me first coming through as a 15- or 16-year-old and the support I was given then, so I’m trying to do the same as much as I can.
“We were wondering what the support would be like but the community has been so supportive and welcoming, we’re glad they have embraced us.”
