Central Coast Mariners and Macarthur shared the spoils on Easter Sunday, with the Bulls twice fighting back in an entertaining Isuzu UTE A-League Round 27 battle.
Skipper Trent Sainsbury played a key role in the game, scoring the opening goal but his and the Mariners’ evening would end on a sour note as he left the field with an achilles injury.
17-year-old Arthur De Lima was another bright spark for the Mariners and he got a second A-League goal as reward for a relentless shift in attack.
The Mariners would be denied all three points as the Bulls twice fought back from behind with headers, substitute Harry Sawyer’s early second half goal proving decisive despite further chances at both ends.
🔢 Line-Up
Mark Jackson made a string of changes as he looked for a reaction from our F3 Derby defeat last weekend, naming a youthful side including De Lima and Haine Eames who returned to the side after missing the last three games on international duty with Australia U17s.
More teenagers featured on the bench as Bailey Brandtman (19) returned to the squad for the first time since February whilst Michael Paragalli (18) made the bench for just the second time in the A-League.
Starting XI: Peraic-Cullen (GK), Kaltak, Sainsbury (C), McCalmont, Kuol, Doka, Mauragis, Di Pizio, Herrington, De Lima, Eames.
Substitutions:
63′ ON: Theoharous, Brandtman OFF: Di Pizio, Herrington
74′ ON: Duarte OFF: Kuol
85′ ON: Steele OFF: De Lima
Unused subs: Warshawsky (GK), Paragalli, Scicluna.
Our XI to take on Macarthur is locked in! 🔒#CCMFC #CCMvMAC #RideTheWave🌊 pic.twitter.com/0qgO4nVNvS
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) April 20, 2025
First Half
It was a bright start as both sides registered shots on target in the opening ten minutes, De Lima first testing Filip Kurto before Marin Jakolis saw a shot blocked by Sainsbury, then an acrobatic attempt saved by Dylan Peraic-Cullen.
Set pieces would be key in the first half, with Sainsbury’s 14th minute opener coming from a Mikael Doka free-kick, the Brazilian claiming his seventh assist of the season while the skipper nodded in his second goal for the Mariners, 12 years after his first.
The Bulls equalised on 21 minutes from a set piece of their own as Jakolis’ corner was met by Kevin Boli whose downward was powerful enough to beat Peraic-Cullen.
The Mariners regained the lead just seven minutes later, Doka with a deep free-kick which was headed back across goal before falling at the feet of De Lima who ruthlessly hammered home.
Kealey Adamson had the Bulls best chance of an equaliser before the break, Jakolis again the provider but Adamson couldn’t keep his effort down.
Second half
The Bulls introduction of 6’4″ Sawyer at half time paid dividends almost straight away as he pulled his side level less than three minutes into the second half, the 28-year-old’s fourth headed goal as a substitute in his last three games.
The Mariners almost regained the lead within two minutes as Doka chopped onto his right foot in the box but his curling effort was defended on the line by Tomislav Uskok.
Sawyer’s entrance into the game certainly made a difference for Macarthur as they took the direct route much more in the second half, putting considerable pressure on the Mariners goal with deliveries towards the big striker.
After his early goal, the Mariners managed his threat a little better, restricting the Bulls to only four second half shots on target despite their eight crosses and six corners.
Jacko responded with a string of changes of his own in attack, Christian Theoharous looking particularly threatening as he tested Kurto twice with shots from outside the box, but the Mariners were unable to find a third.
Eames also went close to scoring his second goal against the Bulls after his maiden A-League strike in December came in the reverse fixture, but his cross-shot on 72 minutes flashed wide.
Sawyer did have a huge chance on 76 minutes as he climbed highest from a corner, but his powerful downward header was well kept out by Peraic-Cullen.
In the final minutes, with the Mariners down to 10 men after Sainsbury was carried off and Macarthur desperately looking for a winner to keep a top-six spot within reach, the Bulls piled the pressure on and big centre-back Uskok’s was thrown up front, almost finding a winner with another header, but Peraic-Cullen made another strong save.
▶️ Post-match reaction via Central Coast Mariners YouTube
Watch the full highlights below, with further match reaction including an in-depth and honest post-match interview from Mark Jackson with Tristan MacManus and Andy Harper, available via Central Coast Mariners on YouTube.
🌴 Next Up
Our Men have a BYE next weekend but Gosford remains the place to be as Finals Football is next up at Our Paradise. Our A-League Women’s team take on Canberra United in the Elimination Final on Sunday 27th April, 2pm kick-off.
Our Men return to Our Paradise for the final round of Isuzu UTE A-League action this season, Brisbane Roar the visitors on May 2nd.
