Central Coast Mariners and Western Sydney Wanderers played out a 1-1 draw in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Saturday, as Mark Jackson’s team ramp up their preparations for the 2025/26 Isuzu UTE A-League season.
The Mariners are in action on opening weekend of the campaign in just under a month’s time, hosting Newcastle Jets in a huge Round One F3 Derby at polytec Stadium.
The countdown is on 👀
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) September 19, 2025
One month from now, Your Mariners will kick-off our 2025/26 Isuzu UTE A-League Men's season at home to Newcastle Jets 😤
A first round F3 Derby is not to be missed. Get your Mariners Membership now: https://t.co/PAd8OPvBrK#CCMFC | @aleaguemen pic.twitter.com/k9v88M10Ot
Line-Up
Starting XI: Redmayne; Roux, Donachie, Paull, Mauragis; McCalmont, Steele; Theoharous, Di Pizio, Faisal, Duarte.
Substitutions:
46′ ON: Peraic-Cullen, Kennedy, Herrington, Eames, De Lima, Brandtman, Edmondson
OFF: Redmayne, Roux, Donachie, McCalmont, Theoharous Di Pizio, Duarte
68′ ON: Mantell OFF: Faisal
81′ ON: Mutokoyi, Taylor OFF: Paull, Faisal
First Half
The Mariners had a lot of early possession, with the best move coming down the right after some nice link-up between Storm Roux and Christian Theoharous, but the latter’s low cross was dealt with by Wanderers.
Steven Ugarkovic had Wanderers’ first effort of note, blazing over a volley from inside the box.
The deadlock was broken on 30 minutes as Brandon Borrello calmly rolled home from the spot after Kosta Barbarouses won a penalty for the hosts.
Second Half
The Mariners had a few more bright attacking moments in the second half with Abdul Faisal threatening in behind, but we were unable to test the Wanderers keeper.
Dylan Peraic-Cullen made a big one-on-one save on 72 minutes before strongly palming away another effort moments later.
The Mariners grabbed an equaliser in the 88th minute, Arthur De Lima able to walk the ball home after Bailey Brandtman’s pressure forced an error at the back for Wanderers.
