An eventful afternoon at Go Media Stadium saw Central Coast Mariners hold out for a 1-0 victory over Auckland FC.
Extraordinarily, the Mariners winning in Auckland handed the Premiers Plate to our F3 Derby rivals Newcastle Jets – their first ever Premiership after 20 years.
Despite Saturday evening’s results already having put an end to the Mariners’ hopes of a top six spot, Warren Moon’s side went into the game in Auckland focused on ending the season strongly regardless and did just that with a determined 90-minute performance.
A fiery first half had everything, with tackles flying in from minute one resulting in early bookings and a red card check on 14 minutes, before the Mariners took the lead through Ali Auglah.
Play would be stopped on 35 minutes due to extreme weather conditions, resuming 40 minutes later, only adding to a dramatic afternoon.
The team held on to their one-goal lead to preserve an unbeaten record at Go Media Stadium. Since their introduction to the A-League last season, the Mariners have the best record out of any visiting club to Auckland (2 draws, 1 win). Melbourne Victory are the only other unbeaten visitors (1 win, 1 draw).
🔢 Line-Up
Two changes to the starting XI saw Nathanael Blair rewarded for a goal off the bench against Brisbane with a start, with Chris Donnell also coming into the side, joining Jesse Mantell in midfield as the 18-year-old looked to back-up a sensational debut against the Roar last time out.
First Half
Auckland looked to stamp their authority on the game early on, with their physical and aerial presence on display as they threatened with set pieces in the opening minutes, but the Mariners held firm.
A fiery start to the game saw Hiroki Sakai booked early on for a late tackle on Lucas Mauragis, before a flashpoint in the game saw James Donachie tangle with Sam Cosgrove, a VAR check deciding on a booking for the Mariners defender.
Andrew Redmayne saved the resulting free-kick from Jesse Randall, and less than two minutes later the Mariners struck at the other end.
A sweeping counter after Mantell won possession on half way and surged forward, saw the youngster find Blair on the left who put the ball on a plate for Auglah who duly finished at the back post.
Our World Cup hopeful now has three goals in his last four A-League matches and five in 13 since arriving in January.
🔂 Watching on repeat for the next 30 minutes 😅
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) April 19, 2026
Ali's goal that put us in front, before extreme weather conditions forced a break in play at Go Media Stadium 🌩️#CCMFC #AKLvCCM | @aleaguemen pic.twitter.com/Xr73rU1JXF
The worsening weather made for a scrappy period in the game, with neither side really able to get the ball down and dictate play, before the game was paused on 35 minutes.
After the restart, there was not much to separate the two sides with only half chances to really note before another break for half time. Mantell had the Mariners’ best effort, his deflected shot saved, before Cosgrove couldn’t keep a difficult effort down at the other end.
Second Half
With all the pressure on the hosts to keep their Premiership hopes alive, they started the second half brightly and Redders had to be at his brilliant best.
He first denied Callan Elliot from close range before keeping out efforts from Guillermo May, Auckland’s talisman who looked lively after coming on early in the second half.
Auckland were in the ascendancy but the Mariners remained a threat on the break and had a chance on 67 minutes, Donnell releasing Oli Lavale, but he couldn’t guide his effort past a stranded Michael Woud.
The Mariners again had to be alert at the back to keep out a flurry of Auckland chances around the 70 minute mark, Donachie making a crucial block from May before Redders made a double save to deny Cosgrove and May again.
Donachie then had a chance of his own at the other end, forcing a fine save from Woud with a back-post header, before the Auckland stopper had to be on his toes to keep out a long-range free-kick from Auglah on 80 minutes.
You’d think it would be all Auckland in the final stages as they threw on every attacking option to try and rescue their Premiership hopes but it was in fact Mariners who generated a string of late chances, yet somehow failed to kill the game.
Firstly, through substitute Sabit Ngor who volleyed off-target after a stunning, Yamal-esque, outside of the foot cross from Auglah. Ngor may have been feeling the effects of a knock that saw him replaced minutes later, so we’ll let him off.
Blair then had two late opportunities to make it goals in back-to-back A-League games for the first time in his career, but couldn’t find the finishing touch on this occasion.
Nonetheless, the Mariners held on to their one-goal lead, taking a deserved three points and putting an end to Auckland’s Premiership bid.
Next Up
After doing them the ultimate favour with a win in Auckland, the Mariners travel to Newcastle Jets on Saturday 25th April for an F3 Derby to round off the Isuzu UTE A-League 2025/26 season.
We won’t be expecting much of a thank you from our fiercest rivals, and it goes without saying, that we will be looking to spoil the Premiership party and maintain the F3 Derby bragging rights.
Mariners Members can get free entry to McDonald Jones Stadium by scanning their Membership Pass, with further supporter information to follow in the week.
