The Central Coast Mariners are back in action today, travelling to Newcastle for the third and final F3 Derby of the season.
Off the back of two consecutive wins, the Mariners came up against Melbourne City last weekend looking to stake their claim as one of the top teams in the competition.
The side did just that, playing out an enthralling draw against the Premiers in front of over 10,000 fans. Central Coast now travel to Newcastle with an important three points in mind, as we aim to secure second on the Isuzu UTE A-League ladder.
Team News
Mariners head coach Nick Montgomery has named an almost identical squad to the side that drew with Melbourne City last weekend.
The Mariners have been forced to make one change, with Yaren Sozer ruled out due to injury.
He has been replaced by Anthony Pavlesic in the squad, with the youngster making his first appearance on the bench last weekend against Melbourne City.
Currently on a scholarship deal, the 17-year-old is the Joey’s captain, having most recently been in the squad for the Antalya Youth Cup in Turkey.
Newcastle have made two changes, with goalkeeper Jack Duncan and youngster Archie Goodwin called into the squad. Phillip Cancar and Noah James are the duo that have made way.
Recent form
The Central Coast Mariners have been in sensational form since the international break, collecting seven of a possible nine points in the three matches.
The first two games saw comprehensive victories both home and away, first defeating Brisbane 4-1 at Our Paradise. The side then travelled to Victoria to secure our first three points in the state since 2014, collecting a 3-0 win over Western United.
Last Saturday saw a brilliant match between the Mariners and Melbourne City, with both teams having to settle for a point after a 1-all draw. The game was one of the best in the competition so far, with both team’s playing an extremely high level of football.
That result sees that Mariners currently sit in fourth place with two games remaining, after Western Sydney were able to comfortably defeat Wellington Phoenix last night.
The Newcastle Jets have been up and down in their form of late, unable to find consistency over the previous few months. Before last weekend the side had been unable to secure a win in six matches, collecting just two of a possible 18 points since late February.
A win last Friday against Macarthur did put the side back firmly in the hunt for finals football, with a late Brandon O’Neill goal sealing the 2-1 victory.
The Jets currently sit in seventh place on 29 points, three points outside the top six with a game in hand on Wellington Phoenix.
Previous Meetings
The F3 Derby has always been a hotly contested one, with the two teams recording relatively even results over the near two decades of rivalry action.
In 58 A-League F3 Derby’s, the Central Coast Mariners have secured 21 wins, while the Jets have come out victorious on 19 occasions. The fixture remains quite tight when the matches are played at McDonald Jones Stadium, with the Jets winning 10 of the 27 games.
The Mariners have won six of the last eight Derby matches including the last three in Newcastle, where the Mariners were able to secure our first ever season clean sweep in Round 25 last year.
This campaign the results have been split across two games, with both sides winning on one occasion. The Jets were able to grab a 2-1 victory in round seven, while the Mariners got back to winning ways in the round one catch up match, coming out 3-0 victors.
The F3 Derby Trophy
The Central Coast Mariners and Newcastle Jets have agreed to symbolize the F3 Derby with a trophy to represent the rivalry.
A core drill sample of the M1 Motorway, formerly known as the F3, was used to create this unique trophy which brings to life the rivalry of the F3 Derby.
The Central Coast Mariners are the current holders of the F3 Derby trophy after completing the clubs first ever 3-0 sweep of the Jets last season, with the bragging rights awarded annually to whoever wins the best of three matches.
In the event that there is an equal split of points in a season, the trophy will be retained by the current holders. The scores are currently tied after two matches, with a win on Saturday for either side enough to secure the trophy.
Squads
Newcastle Jets
1. Jack DUNCAN (gk), 2. Dane INGHAM, 3. Jason HOFFMAN, 4. Manabu SAITO 5. Matthew JURMAN (co-captain), 6. Brandon O’NEILL (co-captain), 7. Trent BUHAGIAR, 9. Beka MIKELTADZE, 10. Reno PISCOPO, 11. Jaushua SOTIRIO, 14. Mohamed AL-TAAY, 17. Kosta GROZOS, 18. Daniel STYNES, 19. Callum TIMMINS, 20. Michael WEIER (gk), 25. Carl JENKINSON (co-captain), 26. Archie GOODWIN, 32. Angus THURGATE, 33. Mark NATTA, 39. Thomas AQUILINA
Ins: 1. Jack DUNCAN, 26. Archie GOODWIN
Outs: 22. Phillip CANCAR, 30. Noah JAMES
Central Coast Mariners
3. Brian KALTAK, 4. Joshua NISBET, 5. James MCGARRY, 6. Maximilien BALARD, 7. Samuel SILVERA, 9. Jason CUMMINGS, 10. Matheus MORESCHE, 11. Beni NKOLOLO, 13. Harry STEELE, 14. Dylan WENZEL-HALLS, 15. Storm ROUX, 18. Jacob FARRELL, 20. Danny VUKOVIC, 23. Daniel HALL, 25. Nectarios TRIANTIS, 28. James BAYLISS, 31. Christian THEOHAROUS, 39. Miguel DI PIZIO, 40. Anthony PAVLESIC 98. Marco TULIO
Ins: 40. Anthony PAVLESIC (promoted)
Outs: 24. Yaren SOZER (Injury)
Unavailable: Bradley TAPP (injury)
Match Details
Newcastle Jets vs Central Coast Mariners
Saturday, April 22nd
Kick-off: 5pm AEST
McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Broadcast: The match will be broadcast live on Paramount+
Tickets are available HERE!
