The Mariners tough run in Victoria continued on Sunday afternoon as three goals in the first half saw Western United record a 3-0 victory at GMHBA Stadium.
After an even opening period, United got on the scoresheet first after 6 minutes with Besart Berisha heading in despite a touch from Mark Birighitti.
A whipped cross from Alessandro Diamanti after a turnover found the head of Berisha in the area and he headed home into the far corner.
Despite the early setback the Mariners were full of belief and after a free flowing passing move Milan Ðurić fizzed an effort just wide of the Western goal.
And after 18 minutes United made the visitors pay for missed chances, Connor Pain’s cut back finding Josh Risdon, whose low effort struck Kye Rowles before burying in the back of the net.
Berisha added his second of the match from a Max Burgess cross which found the Albanian with an all but empty net to fire into and Western were up by three goals inside 21 minutes.
With the ball the Mariners continued to look enterprising and a header from Jordan Murray into the side netting was as close as they came through the middle of the half.
United were denied a fourth when Pain was flagged offside after squirming a shot under Birighitti, and Murray attempted an acrobatic effort on the stroke of the break which flew past the frame of goal.
The second half began in much the same fashion, the Mariners creating good opportunities however unable to deliver in the final third and Western almost went further ahead when Kone struck the crossbar after 54 minutes.
Murray again came close as he brought down a cross before volleying at goal, but the ball took a deflection and landed fortuitously for Kurto who was able to claim at the second time of asking.
The match fizzled out with no further scoring in the second half, and Alen Stajcic’s side will look to rebound next week when they take on Brisbane Roar at Central Coast Stadium.
