A DANIEL McBreen double secured Central Coast Mariners a 2-0 victory over Hyundai A-League rivals Newcastle Jets in the 28th F3 Derby on Saturday night.
Daniel McBreen continued his rich vein of goalscoring form against Newcastle Jets on Saturday
A DANIEL McBreen double secured Central Coast Mariners a 2-0 victory over Hyundai A-League rivals Newcastle Jets in the 28th F3 Derby on Saturday night.
McBreen-s second half brace returned Graham Arnold-s team to the summit of Australia-s top flight and ensured the Burnley born striker took his personal goalscoring tally to nine for the campaign.
The former York City and Falkirk FC attacker struck in the 49th and 67th minutes to ensure the Mariners unbeaten run was extended to seven matches.
In truth, Arnold-s team never looked likely to lose against a Newcastle outfit devoid of attacking inspiration.
Indeed, Central Coast created the better of the opportunities to break the deadlock in the first 45, however some wasteful finishing combined with some last ditch defending by the Jets ensured the two teams entered the sheds at half time goalless.
The best of Central Coast-s chances in the opening stanza fell to attacker McBreen, midfielders Oliver Bozanic and Michael McGlinchey, while stopper Patrick Zwaanswijk found the side netting with a headed effort direct from a corner.
But it would take only four minutes of the second 45 for the first goal of the game to arrive from the boot of deadly Daniel McBreen. Meeting a crisp Josh Rose cross, McBreen fired a first time right foot shot past Newcastle custodian Matthew Nash.
And, McBreen gave Arnold-s team a two-goal buffer in the 67th minute when he headed home a precise corner played in from the right side by tricky New Zealand international Michael McGlinchey. Jets mentor Gary van Egmond would not have been happy with the space afforded to the in-form McBreen, and the 35-year-old striker made no mistake in sending the yellow and navy 2-0 up from six yards.
Post match, Central Coast Mariners Head Coach Arnold said his side isn-t getting carried away with the fact they sitting on top of the table after ten rounds, and revealed that at the break he had told his players to be more ruthless in attack in the second half.
“There-s 17 games to go and we don-t even mention it,” Arnold said of his team-s ladder position. “It-s all about next week. We-ve got Melbourne Heart next Friday, so it-s about trying to play better than we played tonight.”
“I was disappointed at half time. We had four good chances (in the first half). I said to the boys at half time ‘let’s have some killer instinct in front of goal because the game is there for the taking-.”
“We were the best team on the field.”
“Our confidence is high. We-re healthy, we-re fit, we-re a happy group … (and) it-s the senior players who are doing a fantastic job with their leadership roles and off the field.”
Arnold also praised his goalscoring machine, Daniel McBreen.
“Macca-s been in wonderful form and I think that-s the first ever goal he-s scored against Newcastle. He-s a Newcastle boy, so he-s delighted tonight.”
Central Coast Mariners play their next Hyundai A-League fixture at Bluetongue Stadium against Melbourne Heart on Friday 14 December, 2012. Kick-off is 7:30pm with tickets available from Ticketek.
Newcastle Jets 0
Central Coast Mariners 2 (McBreen 49-, 67-)
Hunter Stadium, Newcastle
Newcastle Jets: 33. Matthew Nash (Gk), 2. Scott Neville, 5. Dominik Ritter, 7. James Brown (19. Michael Bridges 77-), 8. Ruben Zadkovich (c), 9. Emile Heskey, 10. Bernardo Ribeiro (17. James Virgili 62-), 11. Connor Chapman, 14. Taylor Regan, 15. Craig Goodwin, 18. Jacob Pepper (12. Joshua Brillante 68-)
Substitutes not used: 30. Jack Duncan (Gk)
Yellow cards: Chapman 82-, Bridges 90-
Red cards: Nil
Central Coast Mariners: 20. Justin Pasfield (Gk), 2. Daniel McBreen, 3. Joshua Rose, 4. Pedj Bojic (5. Zachary Anderson 79-), 6. Patrick Zwaanswijk, 7. John Hutchinson (c), 9. Bernie Ibini (8. Adriano Pellegrino 74-), 11. Oliver Bozanic (19. Mitchell Duke 59-), 14. Michael McGlinchey, 16. Trent Sainsbury, 18. Nick Montgomery
Substitutes not used: 30. David Bradasevic (Gk)
Yellow cards: Sainsbury 24-
Red cards: Nil
Referee: Jarred Gillett
Attendance: 13,112
