Central Coast Mariners showed their resilience on Sunday afternoon, ending a difficult week with a hard fought 1-1 draw against Macarthur Bulls at Polytec Stadium.
The Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s fixture had been rescheduled from the previous day due to torrential rain leaving the pitch unplayable at polytec Stadium.
Macarthur FC were denied an early lead by Andrew Redmayne’s superb double save in the third minute, with Liam Rose also going close, but the Mariners responded through new signing Oli Lavale who hit the bar when clean through and later threatened again before the break
The visitors struck after the hour when Socceroo Mitch Duke set up Luke Vickery to curl home, only for the Mariners to hit back ten minutes later as Sabit Ngor raced onto Miguel Di Pizio’s pass, rounded Filip Kurto and finished coolly.
Redmayne was again called into action in the 80th minute to deny Dean Bosnjak a winner for the visitors.
The draw lifts the Mariners off the bottom of the table on goal difference above Western Sydney Wanderers, while Macarthur remain sixth.
Central Coast Mariners return to Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s action next weekend against Auckland FC in New Zealand before hosting Melbourne Victory on 1 February at polytech Stadium with tickets available here.
CENTRAL COAST MARINERS STARTING XI: 30. Redmayne (GK), 2. Donachie, 5. Mauragis, 8. McCalmont, 10. Di Pizio, 15. Roux, 23. Lavale, 24. Herrington, 26. Tapp (c), 48. Donnell, 72. Auglah
SUBSTITUTES: 6. Eames, 7. Theoharous, 11. Ngor, 16. Steele, 20. Kennedy, 37. Brandtman, 50. Ajanovic (GK)
MACARTHUR FC STARTING XI: 12. Kurto (GK), 3. Da Silva, 5. Jurman, 7. Grzan, 10. Caceres, 11. Oliveira, 18. Scott, 22. Rose, 25. Talbot, 26. Brattan (c), 28. Swayer
SUBSTITUTES: 8. Vickery, 9. Ikonomidis, 14. Popovic, 15. Duke, 17. Randazzo, 24. Bosnjak, 1. Robinson (GK)
Referee: Ben Abraham
Assistant Referees: Anton Shchetinin, Astro Sakalis
Fourth Official: Shaun Evans
