Mariners Match Wrap: Three points secured in CommBank thriller

Central Coast Mariners secured a huge three points at CommBank Stadium after a Friday night thriller against Western Sydney Wanderers.

CommBank continues to be a happy hunting ground for the Mariners, with this win making it three in a row in Parramatta.

After a bright start, the pressure told with Alou Kuol opening the scoring after 10 minutes, turning in the box before squeezing a shot into the bottom corner.

Substitute Ryan Edmondson made an instant impact off the bench, scoring his first of the season just three minutes after coming on, planting Mikael Doka’s teasing cross past Lawrence Thomas.

It would be a nervy but thrilling end to the game as Wanderers pulled one back before piling pressure on the Mariners goal, some incredible emergency defending from the team kept us in front, before a breakaway goal from Doka sealed the victory.


🔢 Line-Up

Nathan Paull returned to the starting eleven after missing last week’s clash with Sydney FC due to a knock, replacing Vitor Feijao who dropped to the bench in Jacko’s only change.

Starting XI: Peraic-Cullen (GK), Kaltak, Sainsbury (C), Theoharous, McCalmont, Kuol, Doka, Roux, Steele, Paull, De Lima.

Substitutions:
10′ ON: Eames OFF: McCalmont
65′ ON: Feijao, Edmondson OFF: Theoharous, De Lima
89′ ON: Kuzevski OFF: Kuol

Unused subs: Pavlesic (GK), Herrington, Scicluna.


First Half

A bright start from the Mariners was rewarded before the 15 minute mark, Kuol converting superbly from a tight angle inside the area.

The Mariners were unfortunately forced into an early change as Alfie McCalmont was unable to continue after picking up a knock from a tackle, with Haine Eames coming on into the centre of midfield.

Eames saw a strike from outside the box saved by Thomas just minutes after coming on, the first moment of note in what would be a standout performance from the 16-year-old.

Wanderers responded and went in search of an equaliser, Marcus Antonsson forcing Dylan Peraic-Cullen into his first save of the game on 21 minutes with a left footed strike.

Moments later Peraic-Cullen was beaten by Borrello, but Trent Sainsbury got back to keep it out on the line.

The Mariners remained a threat on the break, with Doka breaking away in first half added time and setting up De Lima, but he couldn’t keep his shot down.


Second half

Alen Stajic made changes at the break to try and force a way back into the game, with Zac Sapsford and Nicolas Milanovic introduced, but it would be Edmondson off the bench to score the crucial second goal, just three minutes after coming on.

The ball somehow stayed out initially as Kuol headed Doka’s header against the bar before Sainsbury saw an effort blocked on the line, the ball found it’s way out to Doka again who nutmegged Milanovic and delivered a teasing cross for Edmo to plant his header past Thomas.

Wanderers pulled one back on 85 minutes as James Temelkovski headed in Juan Mata’s pinpoint delivery from the right, to tee up a nervy ending for the Mariners.

Just a minute later, Wanderers came close to levelling after a counter attack as Borrello was found in the box and rolled the ball past Peraic-Cullen, only for Harry Steele to make a miraculous sliding clearance off the line.

Mariners hearts were in mouths as the Wanderers kept pushing into added time. As the clock ticked over 90 into five added minutes, Brian Kaltak was next up to save the Mariners with a heroic block to deny Sapsford.

Mata had a chance from a free-kick in the 93rd minute, with the Mariners wall holding firm before Kaltak leathered the ball clear, but Wanderers would come again.

The ball fell on the edge of the box to Anthony Papazopoulous who struck well on the volley, but the ball deflected narrowly wide of the post with Peraic-Cullen rooted to the spot.

Mariners survived the resulting corner with Eames able to clear up the field, Doka won the race ahead of the Wanderers defence, running from his own half before rounding Thomas to seal a memorable win for Jacko’s team.


▶️ Full Highlights via Central Coast Mariners YouTube

Watch the full highlights below, with further match reaction including post-match interviews available via Central Coast Mariners on YouTube.


🌴 Next up

Our January travels continue next weekend as we make the trip to New Zealand to take on Wellington Phoenix, before a midweek trip to Western United.

The Mariners return home for a massive F3 Derby Double Header on February 1st.