The Central Coast Mariners have progressed through to the FFA Cup Round of 16 with a 2-0 win away to Maitland FC. An early Mikey McGlinchey brace in the space of three minutes was all that was needed for the Mariners to seal the victory.
Maitland FC 0 Central Coast Mariners 2 (McGlinchey 8’, 11’)
The run down
2️⃣ goals in 3️⃣ minutes to Mikey McGlinchey puts us two goals up at the break!
? @FOXFOOTBALL#MAIvCCM #CCMFC #MagicOfTheCup #FFACup pic.twitter.com/Ys9Jw9asA9
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) July 31, 2019
It was a promising start for the Mariners, who dominated possession and were always hungry to be on the ball. It didn’t take long for Mariners marksman Michael McGlinchey to open the scoring in the 8th minute with a neat finish from close range after an excellent delivery from Jack Clisby was headed across goal by Matt Simon.
McGlinchey doubled his tally less than three minutes later after a low drilled cross by Sam Silvera found the midfielder free at the far post. In his first senior game of competitive football, Sam Silvera and returning Mariner Danny DeSilva both put on excellent attacking displays during the first half – linking up well with the equally lively Tommy Oar.
Adam Pearce was forced to make a great point blank save at the near post from a Joel Wood attempt midway through the half that proved to be Maitland’s best chance of the night. Despite the positives from the first half, new recruit Giancarlo Gallifuocco was forced off due to injury just before half time with a groin complaint. The Yellow and Navy cruised into the break boasting 71% share of possession
Tonight’s official attendance in Maitland is 2777 people who are all equally responsible for eating the town’s supply of hot chips! ?
A huge thank you to all of the @CCMariners fans who made the trip tonight. ??#MAIvCCM #CCMFC #MagicOfTheCup #FFACup https://t.co/6SaFUPZYRM
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) July 31, 2019
Both sides struggled to find rhythm, making for second half not reaching the heights of the first, but it was the Mariners who continued to create chances away from home.
In the 75th minute Matt Simon had a prime opportunity to put the game to bed, but he was unable to place his header in the back of the net after a great delivery from Josh Nisbet. Maitland’s Joel Wood had another chance in the 85th minute but his shot was wide of the post.
A makeshift Mariners defensive line of Ziggy Gordon and Matt Simon were able to hold firm and deny Maitland of any scoring chances. The referee would blow the whistle for full time which saw the Mariners progress to the Round of 16.
In front of a 3000 strong crowd the Central Coast Mariners would like to thank Maitland for hosting their FFA Cup Round of 32 tie. A great night for football, in front of a great regional football atmosphere.
GOALS
8’ MCGLINCHEY GOAL (1-0): Jack Clisby’s whipped cross met the head of Matt Simon at the back post who nodded the ball down to a free McGlinchey to give the Mariners the lead.
11’ MCGLINCHEY GOAL (2-0): A long, precision ball by Sam Silvera across the face of goal found McGlinchey who did well to finish from a tight angle and make it 2-0.
Stajcic says
“For a first up hit out it was reasonable,” Stajcic said. “Obviously, there’s a lot of things for us to improve on but I thought we started off really well, declined towards the end of the first but picked it up again in the second half. We created six or seven chances; the finishing let us down a little bit but that’s something we can work on.
“There were a lot of good signs at both ends of the park.
“Sam (Silvera) is lively and it’s his first senior game so I’m really proud of him. We know how sharp he is and how dangerous he can be, he’s still got a lot of things to learn but certainly one of the players for the future.
“We knew the club had not won for many years and we touched on the fact that every game for us is important. Friendlies, FFA Cup or A-League and the fact that we have put three wins in a row to start building a little bit of belief and confidence in the team. I can still sense a little bit of hesitation as we neared the end of the game. Building that belief within the group is an important step for the foundation,” Stajcic said.
5️⃣ Facts about our @FFACup opponents:
1️⃣ Great #FFACup hosts
2️⃣ Sound banter
3️⃣ Ended Mikey’s goal drought
4️⃣ Severe lack of hot chips
5️⃣ Biggest club in Newcastle…? #MAIvCCM #CCMFC #MagicOfTheCup https://t.co/LVjIQ5AUWA
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) July 31, 2019
Maitland FC: 1. Matthew TROTT (GK), 2. Thomas DAVIES, 3. Liam THORNTON, 4. Zachary THOMAS, 6. Matthew SWAN (8. Matthew THOMPSON 52’), 7. Nicholas COWBURN, 9. Andrew SWAN, 10. Ryan CLARKE (17. Alex READ 70’), 11. Joel WOOD, 13. Carl THORNTON (c), 14. James THOMPSON (25. Grant BROWN 80’)
Substitutes not used: 20. Luke JENNINGS (GK) & 19. Louis TOWNSEND
Yellow cards: James Thompson 27’, Zachary Thomas 70’
Central Coast Mariners FC: 12. Adam PEARCE (GK), 2. Ziggy GORDON, 3. Jack CLISBY, 6. Giancarlo GALLIFUOCO (26. Joshua NISBET 42’), 8. Michael MCGLINCHEY, 10. Tommy OAR (9. Jordan MURRAY 69’), 11. Daniel DESILVA, 17. Samuel SILVERA 19. Matthew SIMON (c), 21. Ruon TONGYIK (18. Mark MORIC 77’), 22. Jacob MELLING
Substitutes not used: 24. Aidan MUNFORD (GK) & 23. Mario SHABOW
Yellow cards:
Wednesday, 31 July 2019
Maitland Sports Ground, Maitland
Crowd: 2,777
Maitland FC vs. Central Coast Mariners
