Mariners strike late again to sink City

Central Coast Mariners struck late for the second week in a row, taking all three points against Melbourne City in the Isuzu UTE A-League.

Christian Theoharous’ first Isuzu UTE A-League goal for the club put us in front early in the second half but that was cancelled out by Steven Ugarkovic’s strike, before Angel Torres’ netted an 88th minute winner.

Mark Jackson welcomed Brad Tapp back into midfield after he missed last week’s Unite Round clash with Melbourne Victory due to a knock.

There was also a spot on the bench for exciting new signing Ronald Barcellos, who was announced just hours before kick-off as Jacko’s first signing at the club.

It was a cagey opening as both sides tried to get a hold of the game in extreme heat. Max Balard’s free-kick on 15 minutes, comfortably claimed by Jamie Young, was the first effort of note in the game.

At the other end, Danny Vukovic’s only involvement in the first half was a smart save to his left from Leo Natel’s deflected shot.

The Mariners began to take control of the game around the half hour mark and on 31 minutes, somehow didn’t find themselves in front.

Alou Kuol had the first attempt which was kept out by the feet of Young, Torres followed up and his right footed effort crashed down off the underside of the bar but didn’t go over the line.

Kuol had another opening ten minutes later but was denied by a strong block from City defender Jordon Hall.

The Mariners opened the scoring early in the second half through Theoharous. Some fantastic work from Kuol released Nisbet, he squared the ball to Theoharous who made no mistake with the finish and celebrated his first A-League goal for the Mariners in style.

As the visitors looked for an equaliser, Vuka made a string of impressive saves, twice denying Jamie Maclaren at the back post before diving to his right to keep out Tolgay Arslan minutes later.

City’s pressure eventually told though, as substitute Steven Ugarkovic’s strike from the edge of the box found the bottom corner on 79 minutes.

The Mariners dug deep though and it would be another late show for as Torres struck in the 88th minute after great work from substitute Jing Reec who, after his winning goal last week, once again made a telling impact from the bench.

Reec timed his run to perfection to beat the offside trap and did so well to help the ball on to Torres who did the rest, his fourth goal against City this season.

A dramatic end wasn’t done there, Storm Roux was shown a red card from the bench after a huge melee in the dugouts which stemmed from City frustrations and a foul on Farrell.

But the Champions held on for the win in Gosford, extending our unbeaten run to 11 games in all competitions. We remain fourth on the Isuzu UTE A-League ladder.

Jackson’s side are back in action next Saturday, as Brisbane Roar visit the Industree Group Stadium for the second time this season. Get your tickets for that game now!

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