Central Coast Mariners FC W-League side kept pace with the leaders Brisbane Roar FC with a struggling, but in the end clear, win 2-0 over Adelaide United FC at a wet Bluetongue Stadium this afternoon.

A much better second half and two goals lifted the game from a somewhat dour slugfest in the wet and heavy conditions but it has to said that Adelaide tried to take the game to the Coast early and may have been up in the 27th minute if a long range strike had not been just tipped over the crossbar by the Mariners 'keeper Jillian Loyden.

Nevertheless the Mariners domination was complete by mid-second stanza and they could have been 4 or 5 up if their inevitable long play and problems with control in the conditions had not let them down. Substitution of Renee Rollason by Trudy Camilerri was part of a recast of the formation that brought more controlled play through the middle, and also brought Lydia Vandenburgh more into play on the left.

The first 10 minutes was scrappy as both sides tried to find rythm and come to grips with the heavy conditions and referee Kate Jacewicz's interventionist approach.

In the 16th minute Jenna Kingsley battled to navigate a mass of red shirts and won a free kick just outside the area but the shot was over.

The Reds applied some solid attacking pressure on the home side and matched them physically, and indeed had perhaps the best chance of the half when Georgia Chapman brought out a fine save by Mariners 'keeper Jillian Loyden; tipping the ball over the crossbar in the 27th minute.

Four minutes later Donna Cockayne was up-ended and from the resulting free-kick Angela Fimmano curled a shot under the crossbar but the experienced Mariners American sourced 'keeper took care of the danger.

After the break the home side moved up a gear to more like their effort the week before, and Adelaide wilted under the pressure.

Firstly Michelle Heyman hit the side netting from an acute angle on the right after the team had combined well in the lead-up; then as the Reds 'keeper dropped a spinning ball Lydia Vandenburgh was onto it however the defenders managed to clear.

In ther 54th minute Vandenburgh was again in action, seeing her shot pushed over the bar, and then Heyman hit the upright (again from an acute angle), and two minutes later Kingsley madfe a great weaving run down the left but her shot on target was saved by Red's 'keeper McLaren at full stretch to her right.

By mid-way through the half the Mariners could have been several goals to the good if they better control and didn't rush their play.

At last - in the 74th minute substitute Trudy Camilerri scrambled onto a loose ball in the area and turned to shoot, slotting it into the net. 1-0

Camilerri and Vandenburgh had chances within minutes of the goal, forcing some fine saves from the Red's custodian.

In the 88th minute Vandenburgh went wide on the left - and pumped a cross straight to substitute Ashleigh Connor who volleyed it very sweatly from 25m giving McLaren no chance. 2-0

Adelaide did have their chances, with another shot tipped over the crossbar, and Donna Cockayne made a great chance - putting in a telling cross only to find that her team-mates were too slow to react.

The Central Coast side continued to press forward in the dying minutes but were unable to get more goals, through good work by Sian McLaren.

Sitting equal first after two rounds the Central Coast Mariners Westfield W-League side is next in action against co-leaders and inaugural Champions Brisbane Roar FC next Sunday 18th October at Ballymore, Brisbane. Kick-off is a 6:00pm.

PS. Good to see the players at the Mariners members post-HAL game function later in the evening where they attracted a lot of interest and made a good impression - hopefully we will see more fans at the games in future.