That’s how Western NSW Mariners FC will be seeing things after losing on penalties to Marconi Stallions FC in Sunday’s Football NSW National Premier Leagues 2 under 15s major semi-final.

Mariners entered the finals series as unbeaten minor premiers but knew Marconi would prove a tough opponent having drawn nil-all with them just a fortnight earlier.

That exact same scoreline unfolded in Sunday’s finals clash at Sydney United Sports Centre and following extra-time penalties were needed to decide a winner.

Sadly for Western they were ousted 5-4 in a tense shoot out but they get another shot at a grand finals appearance when they play Central Coast Mariners FC in the preliminary final.

Mariners manager Cherylene Anderson said it was a finish that got the heart racing.

“It went right down to the wire,” she said.

“We got our first four in, and they missed one, and we just had to put our fifth one in but unfortunately we skied it. Then then got their fifth one but we missed again.

“It’s great to have that second chance. We only got beaten on penalty goals and the girls know they could have played a little better. Maybe with the weekend off they got away a bit slowly.

“Sometimes it’s not so bad to have a loss. Better to have it now than in the grand final.”

READ MORE: Western NSW Mariners FC women defeats Marconi Stallions in final round

READ ALSO: Western NSW Mariners FC suffers last minute lost to Sydney Olympic, Daymond rues lucky strikes as Mariners fall short of Nepean FC

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The match was devoid of many clear cut chances since both clubs’ defences were at their usual best.

It was a tough effort in the shoot out from Mariners goalkeeper Lily Smith who had been injured during the match but stayed between the posts until the final whistle.

Smith will still be available for the preliminary final.

Past results against the Central Coast Mariners suggest that Western’s preliminary final will be one not to miss.

The Western girls won the first Mariners derby in a gruelling 3-2 victory at Tuggerah before they doubled their success with a 3-0 win at Mudgee’s Glen Willow Stadium in June.

Anderson said it’s a surprise to come up against the competition’s other band of Mariners.

“They ended up beating Nepean which was a surprise because Nepean had beaten them twice in the season,” she said.

“Nepean might have still been tired from their previous week’s game against Marconi where they also had a penalty shoot out.

“The girls know it won’t be easy, even though we’ve beaten them twice. It’s another game that we have to get up for.”

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