The Central Coast Mariners have worked hard for little reward in the City of Churches, going down 1-nil on a frustrating evening at Hindmarsh Stadium.
The Central Coast Mariners have worked hard for little reward in the City of Churches, going down 1-nil on a frustrating evening at Hindmarsh Stadium.
A first half free kick to Cassio proved the difference in a match which rarely reached the heights these clashes are often known for.
The Mariners- newfound defensive steel was needed early, Nicky Travis doing exceptionally well to get in front of Lloyd Owusu with a dangerous ball coming in from the right, before Danny Vukovic smothered Travis Dodd as the Adelaide skipper was about to shoot.
Nicky Travis was heavily involved early on, going on a strong run through midfield before sending a thumping effort goalward, Eugene Galekovic only able to parry for a corner.
Lloyd Owusu shot wide after being given some space at the other end, and Matt Simon very nearly notched his second goal in as many weeks, when he latched on to a corner whipped in by John Hutchinson, only for his header to be cleared off the line by Alemao.
Adelaide United had a golden chance to take the lead when Cassio took the ball to the byline on the left, and put a dangerous ball across goal, only for Travis Dodd to get a touch from an offside position, during a mad goalmouth scramble.
The Mariners were doing their best to go forward with Nicky Travis and Pedj Bojic both working hard in midfield, but it was the hosts who took the lead, from a set piece.
John Hutchinson looked to have been unlucky after he was adjudged to have given away a foul on the edge of the area, but the decision allowed Cassio – on his return from injury – to step up, and fire a shot into the top left corner, Vukovic doing well to even get fingertips to it.
Late in the half Ahmad Elrich sent a curling effort toward Galekovic after some good linking between Nik Mrdja and Nicky Travis in the lead up, but it was the hosts to take the advantage into the break.
The Mariners made a bright start to the second half, going forward with regularity, and fresh from his maiden Hyundai A-League goal, captain Alex Wilkinson watched a goal-bound header cleared for a corner.
Nicky Travis was looking lively in midfield, playing a good through ball for Brad Porter to force a corner while at the other end, Dodd shot wide after a good run.
The Mariners- frustration was becoming evident, as Hutchinson and Simon found their way into the book, while Lawrie McKinna looked to shake things up via the introduction of Adam Kwasnik and Dylan Macallister.
But it was a case of a lot of graft for no glory on this occasion, as both teams ground away in the midfield, the Mariners just couldn-t find an equaliser, meaning their next task is now to regroup, in time for the visit of the ladder leaders.
The Mariners next home match of the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season will be against Gold Coast United on Saturday, 19 September. Kick-off is at 7:30pm. Tickets for this match are available online here or by phoning 132 849.
Mariners Memberships for the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season are now available online by clicking here or by phoning 1300 767 442.
Match Details
Central Coast Mariners 20. Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 4. Pedj BOJIC, 5. Brad PORTER, 7. John HUTCHINSON (11. Dylan MACALLISTER 77-), 9. Nik MRDJA, 15. Andrew CLARK, 16. Nigel BOOGAARD, 18. Alex WILKINSON (c), 19. Matt SIMON, 21. Ahmad ELRICH (8. Dean HEFFERNAN 46-), 22. Nicky TRAVIS (23. Adam KWASNIK 72-).
Unused Subs 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (gk).
Yellow Cards Hutchinson 66-, Simon 74-
Red Cards None
Goals None
Adelaide United 1. Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 3. ALEMAO (17. Michael MARRONE. 41-), 4. Iain FYFE, 6. CASSIO (16. Inseob SHIN 92-), 7. Lucas PANTELIS, 10. Adam HUGHES, 11. Lloyd OWUSU, 12. Paul REID, 13. Travis DODD (c) (9. CRISTIANO 83-), Scott JAMIESON, 21. Mark RUDAN.
Unused Subs 20. Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk).
Yellow Cards Reid 29-
Red Cards None
Goals Cassio 33-
Referee Strebe DELOVSKI
Crowd 10,262
