The Mariners suffered a fourth loss in a row on Sunday, going down 4-3 to the Jets in a frenetic #F3Derby outing.
Alen Stajcic made a number of changes to the side that lost to the Wanderers last weekend, with Matt Simon, Sam Silvera and Jair all coming back into the starting lineup.
Here's how we lineup in this afternoon's #F3Derby clash with the Jets! #CCMFC #BeatNewcastle pic.twitter.com/3tJeR6zN90
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) February 9, 2020
The Jets started fast and Steven Ugarkovic struck the post early amongst other chances for the hosts, and they took the lead 15 minutes in when Dimi Petratos was first to a loose ball in the box that he fired home.
10 minutes later it was two for the Jets as Nikolai Topor-Stanley found space at the back post to score, and Stajcic was forced into a first half change when Kye Rowles was forced from the pitch after a heavy tackle and replaced by Ruon Tongyik.
Tongyik made the most of his opportunity almost instantly too, leaping highest to head in from a corner and cut the deficit in half at the break.
It took just four second half minutes for the Mariners to be level though, with Jack Clisby stooping low to head in Milan Ðurić’s set piece and restore parity as the visitors started the second half with a bang.
A frantic start to the half continued as the Jets restored their two goal lead shortly after, as Petratos again found time to volley home a loose ball before a Jets corner glanced off Eun-Sun Kim and into his own net inside the hour mark.
Stajcic made a double substitution as the game entered the final 20 minutes with Chris Harold and Abraham Majok replacing Jair and Simon, and with time winding down Harold netted his first goal for the club; a delightful curling effort from outside the area that brought the Mariners back within a goal.
A tidy goal on his Mariners debut for Chris Harold! #F3Derby #CCMFC
?️ @FOXFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/cwChlUXWWi— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) February 9, 2020
The comeback would not be completed though as time got the better of the visitors, who now look ahead to a clash with Adelaide United on Friday night at Coopers Stadium.
