The Central Coast Mariners picked up their first win of the Hyundai A-League season on Sunday night, winning 2-1 away against 2019-19 Premiers Perth Glory to lift themselves to 6th in the table.
Alen Stajcic made one change from round two with Sam Silvera making his starting debut, coming in for Jordan Murray while the hosts were unchanged.
The early exchanges were dominated by the Mariners with Milan Djuric testing the woodwork with an excellent long range strike after seven minutes.
A neat free kick routine found the Serbian with acres of room on the edge of the box, his low strike rebounded to Danny DeSilva but the winger could not get the ball out of his feet to find the net.
The visitors continued on the front foot and took the lead ten minutes later through DeSilva.
We're in the lead at HBF Park thanks to this wonderful strike from Danny DeSilva! #CCMFC #PERvCCM
?️@FoxFootball pic.twitter.com/9BvFVwruE3— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) November 3, 2019
Some neat work down the left wing saw Tommy Oar play in Jack Clisby and his excellent cut back was met by DeSilva who side footed a stunning effort past Liam Reddy from the edge of the area.
It was nearly two for the Central Coast soon after with Silvera and De Silva linking up well and forcing Reddy into a solid stop to prevent the scoreboard changing.
Moments later the score was levelled and the Mariners were left to rue the missed chance moments before. Juande’s strike from the edge of the box was well parried by Mark Birighitti but Ivan Franjic managed to squeeze home the rebound from close range.
But the Mariners lead was restored through an excellent individual effort by Silvera on the stroke of half time.
The youngster stole the ball off Jacob Tratt deep in his own half the before cutting inside brilliantly onto his right foot and curling a lovely low effort around Reddy and into the far corner.
Do we only score bangers?
Sammy Silvera with the winner in the first half. #CCMFC #PERvCCM
?️ @FOXFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/qVjcwfY4AK— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) November 3, 2019
Perth came out of the blocks quickly to push for an equaliser in the second half and had the ball over the line when a cross by Kilkenny was met by Fornaroli.
His first time volley was palmed up in the air by Birighitti who gathered at the second attempt before the keeper was fouled and bundled over the line by Ikonomidis
Birighitti continued to deny the Glory and he kept out Fornaroli’s low effort that was goal bound soon after, and Stajcic looked to shore things up as Eunsun Kim, Ruon Tongyik and Matt Simon all came on as the half progressed.
It was not to be though for the hosts as a spectacular rear-guard effort from the visitors kept Perth at bay, and attentions for the Mariners now turn to a Friday night clash with Melbourne City at AAMI Park on Friday night.
