Central Coast Mariners vice-captain John Hutchinson believes last Friday night’s win over Melbourne Victory will count for little, should the side fail to back it up in the second of back-to-back home games, against Melbourne Heart at Bluetongue Stadium this Friday.
Central Coast Mariners vice-captain John Hutchinson believes last Friday night-s win over Melbourne Victory will count for little, should the side fail to back it up in the second of back-to-back home games, against Melbourne Heart at Bluetongue Stadium this Friday.
The Mariners dispatched of the Hyundai A-League-s most successful side 2-nil courtesy of Rostyn Griffiths and Daniel McBreen, but Hutchinson insists the Yellow and Navy need to back it up with a similarly dominant display against the league-s newest club.
“They-ve got good players all over the park and people we need to watch out for, but it is our home ground and this year we are going to make it a fortress and not give points away, so we need to back up what we did against Victory,” said Hutchinson.
The Mariners racked up a 1-nil win over this Friday-s opponent in the opening game of season six in the Southern capital just over a month ago, but have struggled to score goals since with just two in three subsequent matches, until putting on an attacking show in front of home fans last Friday.
“It-s pretty hard for the boys up the top, when the service isn-t there they are still expected to score goals but sometimes the service hasn-t been right. As the season goes on we-ll get over that and the balls into the box will get better and the boys up there will start scoring more goals. The boys up the top do a great job defensively as well, they start our defensive shape and they-ve done a great job,” Hutchinson said.
Friday-s match will give the Central Coast faithful a chance to potentially see former Mariners Michael Beauchamp, Dean Heffernan and John Aloisi should the trio overcome injury concerns, but Hutchinson is hoping to send the Mariners Old Boys home empty handed.
“I-ve messaged Heff (Dean Heffernan) and he-s looking forward to getting up here, getting a game against us and trying to reverse the 1-nil win we had there.
“They-ve got Benny Coonan the (former Mariners) Media Manager coming, they-re all good people that are coming, I-m not sure if Meggsi (Michael Beauchamp) is coming but we look forward to playing against them.
“They had big wraps on them before the start of the season but we-re at home and we need to win, because we-re on the road for a long time after this game,” said Hutchinson.
The Mariners can take plenty of positives out of last Friday-s win against the Victory says Hutchinson, after dominating for large chunks of the game both in attack and defence.
“They-re a good team Melbourne Victory but we had a game plan and I thought we did well with that game plan.
“Our defensive shape again was really good but I just thought at times again we coughed the ball up pretty easily in possession, but we got two good goals and our defence held out for the rest of the game,” Hutchinson said.
The Central Coast Mariners will next be in action against Melbourne Heart this Friday, 10 September at Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford. Kick-off is at 8pm and tickets are available by CLICKING HERE or by phoning 132 849.
Mariners Memberships for the Hyundai A- League 2010/11 season are still available by CLICKING HERE or by calling 1300 767 442
In: Matthew LEWIS, Chris DOIG (promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Patricio PEREZ (suspended – one week), Jess VANSTRATTAN (knee – season), Trent SAINSBURY (knee – four weeks)
Melbourne Heart FC squad: 1. Clint BOLTON (gk), 2. Michael MARRONE, 3. Brendan HAMILL, 4. Simon COLOSIMO (c), 5. Michael BEAUCHAMP, 6. Matt THOMPSON, 9. Gerald SIBON, 10. Wayne SRHOJ, 11. Alex TERRA, 12. Peter ZOIS (gk), 15. John ALOISI, 17. Jason HOFFMAN, 18. Ante TOMIC, 19. Eli BABALJ, 21. Kliment TASESKI, 22. Nick KALMAR, 23. Dean HEFFERNAN, 24. Aziz BEHICH.
*three to be omitted*
In: 5. Michael BEAUCHAMP, 18. Ante TOMIC
Out: 7. Rutger WORM
Unavailable: Kristian SARKIES (Leg – Indefinite), Josip SKOKO (Hamstring – 1-2 weeks), Rutger WORM (Hamstring 2-3 weeks), Kamal IBRAHIM (Calf – 1 week)
