The Central Coast Mariners have suffered heartbreak in the Round of 32 of the Westfield FFA Cup on a night where Blake Powell took just 15 minutes to score his maiden Mariners goal.
Green Gully SC 2 (Jones 85’ & Boland 93’) Central Coast Mariners 1 (Powell 15’)
The Run Down
After taking a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute of play thanks to a brilliant strike by Powell, Green Gully hit back in the 85th and 93rd minutes through Daniel Jones and Liam Boland respectively.
The first goal to the home side was marred by controversy that resulted in the Central Coast Mariners camp screaming for offside that was waved away by the officials.
Green Gully finished the match in sensational fashion when Boland pulled the trigger from distance to find the back of the net in the final minute of play.
In what was a relatively quiet first half the Central Coast Mariners went into the sheds a goal up but it could have been more with a very close miss to Josh Bingham in the third minute and a disallowed opportunity that was contentiously ruled offside in the 42nd minute.
Green Gully came out firing in the second half, which forced Ivan Necevski into action who was rock solid at the back through out the match. Necevski stood tall to deny a close range effort that was quickly followed by a diving save to shut down a set piece header.
Necevski wasn’t the only Mariners’ debutant on a night that saw Adam Berry make his starting debut alongside Blake Powell who scored in his first competitive appearance for the Mariners.
In the substitution ranks Mickael Tavares, Connor Pain and Kwabena Appiah also made their first showings in Mariners colours.
Walmsley’s words
“It’s hard to take in and everyone is hurting at the result,” Walmsley said.
“No excuses. We should have been three goals up by half time and cruising and we didn’t play near well enough with the ball in the second half.
“In pre season, on a heavy pitch there was always going to be a physical challenge for us late in the game but despite all that two referees decisions have decided the match with Roy’s goal chalked off incorrectly and their first goal tough to take.
“Their winner was a special moment for the boy and the competition, these things happen in football, but it doesn’t make it any more palatable.
“On the plus side, Ivan Necevski had an outstanding debut, as did Blake Powell.
“We now focus on October 8th and have plenty of time to integrate all the new players with a series of HAL opponents ahead,” Walmsley said.
GOALS
15’ POWELL GOAL: The man who has the second fastest hat trick in Hyundai A-League history to his name took just 15 minutes to record his maiden Mariners goal. After a cross from Harry Ascroft and a blocked shot from Roy O’Donovan, Powell fired his strike into the top corner to make it 1-0.
85’ JONES GOAL: After some scrappy play in the Central Coast Mariners backline Green Gully pounced and the skipper, Daniel Jones put the ball over the line. There were shouts from all sides of the Central Coast Mariners camp for offside that were waved away by the officials.
93’ BOLAND GOAL: In sensational fashion, Boland bought a ticket from distance and his strike sailed into the Mariners’ net that confirmed a place for his side in the round of 16.
Green Gully SC: 1.Sebastian MATTEI (GK), 2.Matthew REID, 4.Daniel JONES, 5.Rodrigo VARGAS (84’ Murphy), 8.George LAMBADARIDIS, 9.Anthony RAGUSA (68’ Ward), 11.Evan CHRISTODOUOU, 15.Jay DAVIES, 16.Kliment TASEKI, 19. Luke WALKER, 38.Liam BOLAND
Central Coast Mariners: 1.Ivan NECEVSKI (GK), 5.Harry ASCROFT, 8.Nick MONTGOMERY (c), 22.Jake McGING, 21.Michael NEILL, 16.Liam ROSE, 14.Adam BERRY, 7.Fabio FERREIRA (74’ Tavares), 6.Blake POWELL (83’ Appiah), 17.Josh BINGHAM (Pain 61’), 9.Roy O’DONOVAN
Yellow cards: Reid 36’ (GRG), Ferreira 61’ (CCM) & Tavares 79’ (CCM)
