Central Coast Mariners continued their recent revival with a stunning 3-2 victory over APIA Leichhardt, to climb off the bottom of the NPL NSW table.
APIA, who are competing at the top of the table to regain the Premiers Plate, had their hopes dented by another spirited Mariners display, as Lucas Vilela’s team picked up their third win from their last six games.
It was a dream start for the Mariners as Nicolas Duarte continued his good form since returning from injury, firing in from close range with less than 90 seconds on the clock at Lambert Park.
Duarte was involved in the build up as he received the ball from Bailey Brandtman in the box, laid the ball off to Taye Hedley who was denied, but Duarte remained alert to volley home on the rebound.
There was a rapid response from the hosts however, Jordan Segreto fired a warning shot over the bar on five minutes and APIA would equalise just two minutes later, in a blistering start to the contest.
Michael Kouta tapped home from close range to make it 1-1, the Mariners will be disappointed having conceded from a routine set piece but they would hit back with one of their own.
On 23 minutes, Mariners re-took the lead as Duarte netted his second, a real poachers goal to convert from close range after APIA keeper Alexander Parkes failed to claim a corner.
Once again there would be a quick reply from APIA. On 26 minutes it was all square again, Seiya Kambayashi setting up Sean Symons who finished into the top corner.
Dylan Peraic-Cullen was kept busy before half time, making a fine double stop on the half hour mark before being alert to sweep up on 42 minutes when his long clearance wasn’t dealt with by APIA and Brandtman was presented with a chance, but he couldn’t find the target.
Brandtman had another chance before the break, firing at goal from a difficult angle but forcing Parkes into a save, before the referee brought a scintillating first half to a close with the half time whistle.
On the hour mark, Kambayashi dragged a golden opportunity wide after Segreto threaded a neat pass through the Mariners defence.
APIA would live to rue that miss as Arthur De Lima struck what proved to be the winner on 72 minutes, cutting inside after being found on the right by Brandtman, and firing a rocket across goal and into the corner, giving Parkes no chance.
The Mariners threatened a fourth on 85 minutes when Donatien Niyonkuru led a swift counter attack, he slipped in Luka Smyth to his left who flashed a ball across goal, Duarte just not quite on the same wavelength otherwise he could have sealed his hat-trick.
APIA’s dangerman Segreto had one more attempt as the hosts pushed to salvage a late equaliser, his free-kick got over the wall but hit the side netting, Peraic-Cullen and the Mariners able to breathe a sigh of relief.
Vilela’s side saw the game out, with the final whistle blowing on 95 minutes and the Mariners able to celebrate an impressive win on the road, making it 10 points taken from the last 18 available.
Next up for the Mariners is another tough away trip, as they travel to in-form Sydney Olympic on Saturday.
