Central Coast Mariners rounded off 2024 with a solid point at home to Melbourne City.
City led at half time through Samuel Souprayen’s header but Nathan Paull’s first professional goal ensured the spoils were shared.
Mark Jackson’s side followed our Ninja A-League side in a huge New Years Eve Double Header, as a season-high attendance of almost 12,000 at Our Paradise inspired two valiant performances before being entertained by a stunning waterfront fireworks display.
The perfect way to finish 2024 🎆#CCMFC #RideTheWave🌊 pic.twitter.com/U7czvqGWvE
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) January 1, 2025
🔢 Line-Up
Jacko made two changes as Noah Smith came in for Lucas Mauragis, and Bailey Brandtman for Haine Eames.
Starting XI: Peraic-Cullen (GK), Kaltak, Sainsbury (C), Smith, McCalmont, Kuol, Doka, Roux, Steele, Paull, Brandtman.
Substitutions:
46′ ON: Theoharous OFF: Brandtman
55′ ON: Wilson OFF: Smith
72′ ON: Herrington OFF: Sainsbury
84′ ON: Eames OFF: Steele
Unused subs: Pavlesic (GK), Feijao, Ngor.
For the last time in 2024, your Mariners lineup is in! 🫡#CCMFC #CCMvMCY #RideTheWave🌊 pic.twitter.com/sNzlXzl7bB
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) December 31, 2024
First Half
In a slow first 45 minutes, the Mariners were unable to threaten City who dominated possession, albeit mostly in their own half with .
A free-kick led to the first chance and the first goal of the game on 33 minutes, as Yonaten Cohen’s curling delivery found Souprayen who planted his header into the bottom corner, giving Dylan Peraic-Cullen no chance.
Steven Urgakovic went very close with a curling effort from range five minutes later, his shot whistling just past the post, leaving Souprayen’s goal the only shot on target in the first half.
Second half
A much more lively second half from the Mariners followed, with inspired changes from Jacko as Christian Theoharous and Will Wilson made an impact off the bench.
Patrick Beach was much busier in the second half, brought into action from Mikael Doka’s free-kick, before Wilson caught a half volley sweetly with his first touch of the game which forced Beach into a flying save.
The Mariners continued to pile the pressure on, with Wilson seeing a shot blocked from inside the box after Alou Kuol’s smart layoff, Kuol then had an effort of his own on 64 minutes, firing over from the edge of the box.
The pressure told on 67 minutes, after Theoharous was fouled on the left, Doka’s in-swinging fee-kick found the head of Paull who powered his header past Beach to draw the Mariners level and open his career account.
City responded well to falling behind, but the Mariners defence held firm. The closest the visitors came to regaining the lead was on 80 minutes when Germán Ferreyra’s acrobatic effort was cleared off the line by Diesel Herrington.
Ferreyra had the last chance of the game with a diving header, but couldn’t hit the target. The full time whistle blew moments later, a fair and hard-earned point for both sides.
▶️ Full Highlights and Match Reaction via Central Coast Mariners YouTube
Watch the full highlights below, with further match reaction including post-match interviews from Nathan Paull, Trent Sainsbury and Mark Jackson available via Central Coast Mariners on YouTube
🌴 Next up
Jacko’s team face another short turnaround, with a trip to Brisbane Roar next up on January 3rd. January is a month of travel for the Mariners, facing Sydney FC, Western Sydney Wanderers, Wellington Phoenix and Western United on the road, before returning home for a massive F3 Derby Double Header in a month’s time.
