Central Coast Mariners fought back to earn a deserved point away to Macarthur thanks to Haine Eames’ record-breaking first goal for the club.
After falling behind in the 11th minute, the Mariners dominated possession but had to be patient for their equaliser which came early in the second half.
Eames’ 53rd minute strike saw him become the youngest goalscorer in Mariners history, breaking the record held by Garang Kuol since 2021.
🔢 Line-Up
Jacko made two changes as Eames and Noah Smith came into the starting eleven. Eames’ inclusion saw him become the youngest starter in Mariners history, whilst Smith was starting for the first time in over a year.
Trent Sainsbury came off the bench to feature in the A-League for the first time this season, whilst youngsters Arthur De Lima and Lucas Scicluna made the bench for the first time in the A-League.
Starting XI: Peraic-Cullen (GK), Kaltak (C), Smith, McCalmont, Kuol, Doka, Roux, Steele, Kuzevski, Paull, Eames.
Substitutions:
63′ ON: Theoharous OFF: Kuzevski
70′ ON: Brandtman OFF: Eames
78′ ON: Sainsbury OFF: Smith
Unused subs: Pavlesic (GK), Ngor, De Lima, Scicluna.
First Half
The Mariners had the early possession but were undone on the counter attack for the game’s opening goal on 11 minutes, Marin Jakolis broke clear down the right and pulled the ball back to Jed Drew, his effort deflected in off Danny Da Silva on the line.
It was a positive response from the Mariners who were straight back on the front foot and unlocked the Macarthur defence with a tidy move down the left, but Smith’s teasing cross just evaded Alou Kuol in the middle.
On 15 minutes, Mikael Doka stung the palms of Filip Kurto with a long-range strike, before Macarthur had another chance on the break, Jakolis burst through the Mariners defence but Dylan Peraic-Cullen quick off his line to thwart him.
The Mariners continued to control possession, Sasha Kuzevski flashed a shot just wide before Alfie McCalmont made a strong block to deny Jed Drew after another Bulls breakaway.
Second half
The Mariners got their deserved equaliser seven minutes into the second half as Doka’s out-swinging corner fell to Eames on the edge of the box and he drilled a half volley through the crowd of defenders and in off the post.
Haine Eames. 16-years-old. The youngest goalscorer in Central Coast Mariners Men's history. 👏
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) December 23, 2024
Starboy. 🌟#CCMFC #MACvCCM #RideTheWave🌊 pic.twitter.com/rjwskmgFS7
An entertaining game continued in the second half, as Jakolis saw a free-kick blocked by the Mariners wall, substitute Bailey Brandtman curled a shot just wide and Drew blasted against the side netting.
The Bulls were reduced to 10 men in the 89th minute as Tomislav Uskok was shown a straight red card for bundling over Kuol, who was in on goal after latching onto a long ball from Peraic-Cullen.
With little time remaining the Mariners were unable to make a man advantage count, settling for a point on the road.
🎥 Full Highlights
🌴 Next up at Our Paradise
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