The Central Coast Mariners are looking to get back to winning ways this weekend, heading out to Glen Willow Stadium in Mudgee to face off against Macarthur FC on Saturday afternoon.
Currently sitting in fourth place on the Isuzu UTE A-League ladder after 19 rounds, three points are vital as we look to regain our spot in the top two.
Despite coming into the match with an understrength squad the Mariners are determined to secure a victory, with head coach Nick Montgomery confident that the side can get the job done.
Team News
The Central Coast Mariners have made two changes to our 20-man squad that fell to Western Sydney Wanderers last weekend, with Beni Nkololo and Maksim Kasalovic dropping out.
Nkololo is unavailable for the next two rounds after being sent off against the Wanderers, joining Brian Kaltak and Moresche as suspended players. Dean Larson comes in to replace the Frenchman, making his first A-League men’s squad.
Zac Zoricich has also been named for the first time, with the young defender recently also making the New Zealand under 23’s side. He replaces Kasalovic after the midfielder was an unused substitute last weekend.
Dylan Wenzel-Halls is a chance to play on Saturday following an ankle injury sustained after arriving at the club, however a hiccup in his recovery means the striker is unfortunately no guarantee to feature.
Macarthur have named an almost unchanged line-up following last weekend’s win over Brisbane Roar, with Lachlan Rose returning from a foot injury. The forward the only difference this round.
The Bulls have three players unavailable, with Ulises Davila still out with a knee injury, Craig Noone suspended and Jed Drew joining Mariners Nectarios Triantis on international duty.
Recent Form
The Central Coast Mariners have been on a tough recent run of form, narrowly dropping points in games over the past month.
Across our last six games we have only lost twice, however three draws have seen us secure a sole victory. That match a 2-1 win over Brisbane Roar, with all three draws only narrowly not being further Central Coast victories.
Undermanned and travelling to face the Wanderers, the side unfortunately fell to a 2-0 defeat, unable to convert chances. Despite having over 60% possession two defensive lapses cost us dearly, heading back to the Coast empty handed.
This weekend’s game in Mudgee is the perfect opportunity to get back to winning ways, with three points all that is on the Mariners minds.
Macarthur have had mixed form over the past six matches, coming away with three points twice including a last second winner against Brisbane on Sunday.
A draw against Western United and a tight win over Wellington contradict 4-0 and 6-1 losses to Western Sydney and Melbourne City respectively, alongside a narrow loss to the Jets.
The Bulls currently sit in eighth on 24 points, just a win outside the top six.
Previous Meetings
Battles between the Mariners and Bulls have been hotly contested this season, with both sides holding one victory against the other so far this campaign.
The first matchup a 3-2 win for the Bulls at Industree Group Stadium, with the away side scoring in the final seconds to secure all three points.
The Mariners returned the favour at Campbelltown Stadium in round 12, with the Central Coast having arguably our best display of football this season in the first half.
That resulted in a 2-0 lead at the break, and despite a late push from the home side we were able to come away with the 2-1 victory.
The Mariners have faced off against Macarthur once before at Glen Willow Stadium, coming up against each other in March last year. That game ending in a 4-2 win for the Mariners, a defining result in our 2021/22 season.
Squads
Central Coast Mariners
4. Joshua NISBET, 5. James MCGARRY, 6. Maximilien BALARD, 7 Samuel SILVERA, 9. Jason CUMMINGS, 13. Harry STEELE, 14. Dylan WENZEL-HALLS, 15. Storm ROUX, 18. Jacob FARRELL, 20 Danny VUKOVIC ©, 22. Cameron WINDUST, 23. Daniel HALL, 24. Yaren SOZER, 27. Sasha KUZEVSKI, 28. James BAYLISS, 31. Christian THEOHAROUS, 32. Dean LARSON, 41. Nicholas DUARTE, 42. Zac ZORICICH, 98. Marco TULIO
Ins: 32. Dean LARSON, 42. Zac ZORICICH
Outs: 11. Beni NKOLOLO (Suspension), 36. Maksim KASALOVIC
Unavailable: 3. Brian KALTAK (suspension), 10. Moresche (suspension), 11. Beni NKOLOLO, 25. Nectarios TRIANTIS (international duty), 26. Bradley TAPP (injured)
Macarthur FC
Filip KURTO, Ivan VUJICA, Tomislav USKOK, Jake McGING, Jonathan ASPROPOTAMITIS, Aleksandar SUSNJAR, Matt MILLAR, Jake HOLLMAN, Kearyn BACCUS, Charles M’MOMBWA, Bachana ARABULI, Al Hassan TOURE, Lachlan ROSE, Daniel DE SILVA, Daniel ARZANI, Jerry SKOTADIS, Ali AUGLAH, Moudi NAJJAR, Oliver JONES, Jason ROMERO
Ins: Lachlan ROSE (foot injury)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: Ulises DAVILA (knee injury), Jed DREW (international duty), Craig NOONE (suspended)
Match Details
Central Coast Mariners vs Macarthur FC
Saturday, March 11th
Kick-off: 5:00pm AEDT
Glen Willow Stadium, Mudgee
Broadcast: The match will be broadcast live on Paramount+
Tickets: Purchase HERE!
