Melbourne Victory 3 (Georgievski 32’, Thompson 34’, Berisha 47’) Central Coast Mariners 1 (Bosnar 44’)
The run down:
The Central Coast Mariners have succumbed to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Melbourne Victory in the club’s final Hyundai A-League campaign.
A trademark Eddy Bosnar free-kick was overcome by goals to Daniel Georgievski, Archie Thompson & Besart Berisha who were too strong for the travelling Mariners.
It was an emotional night for the yellow and navy who bid farewell to 228-match veteran John Hutchinson who played his last match as a professional footballer after spending an incredible 10 years with the Central Coast Mariners.
Full attention for Hutchinson and his team mates now turns to his testimonial match which will see the current playing squad take on a handpicked team of former Mariners in a fixture designed to allow fans and members the chance to say farewell to our most celebrated skipper. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS.
GOALS:
32’ GEORGIEVSKI GOAL – The man who scored an impressive strike against the Central Coast Mariners at North Sydney Oval last December was back to strike again with the opener at AAMI Park. Besart Berisha did a great job holding the ball up at the top of the box and laid it off for Georgievski who made no mistake with the finish.
34’ THOMPSON GOAL – Melbourne Victory set up for their seventh corner of the match and finally breached the Mariners defence with a Gui Finkler corner, Thompson stretched down to the low header and glanced his effort into the net.
44’ BOSNAR GOAL – It was Bosnar who stepped back for a long run up to take the free kick in a dangerous area for the Mariners. Bosnar drilled it at the wall, his strike took a huge deflection off Georgievski and ultimately found its way into the net to put the away side on the score sheet just before half time.
47’ BERISHA GOAL – Berisha capped off some impressive build up by Gui Finkler who lobbed a dangerous cross in behind the Mariners backline from close range, an awkward bounce saw Nash and Milligan with a 50-50 challenge that fell to Milligan, Milligan offloaded to Berisha who slotted home for a 3-1 lead.
Key Moments:
18’ FITZGERALD VOLLEY – Melbourne Victory held majority of the field position in the opening stages of the match and Thompson made several direct runs in from the left flank. Isaka Cernak found himself with possession in a dangerous area who created enough time to send a precision cross into Nick Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald took the chance first time but his volley cleared the crossbar.
FIRST HALF CORNERS – Melbourne Victory won seven corners in the first half that put the Mariners under pressure but Matt Nash and his back four were up to the challenge for six of the seven set pieces. Unfortunately for the yellow and navy it was a corner that ultimately saw them concede their second goal through Thompson.
46’ ROUX CROSS – Immediately from the kick-off, Storm Roux broke down the right and swung in a dangerous cross, fortunately for Melbourne Victory there was no one there to capitalise for the Mariners.
50’ FITZGERALD RUN – Fitzgerald looked to take proceedings into his own hands with a direct run into the Victory penalty area, after beating two he played a ball to Anthony Kalik who pulled the trigger and was denied by Lawrence Thomas. Cernak had the chance to follow up but his strike was blasted over the crossbar.
51’ NASH SAVE – Berisha had a chance from close range, Nash was up to the challenge with a strong right glove to deny the Albanian his brace.
61’ JOSH ROSE HEADER – Fitzgerald broke down the right wing into the front third, he then whipped in a firm cross that found the head of Rose inside the six yard box. The cross was rising which made for a hard chance, his effort flew over the cross bar.
67’ BARBAROUSES CHANCE – Kosta Barbarouses had a prime chance to put the game to bed with a one-on-one opportunity with Nash, his shot dribbled well wide of the upright.
79’ TRIFIRO CHANCE – Substitute, Glen Trifiro looked to light the fixture up with a solid right foot strike that swerved just wide of the upright.
81’ SIM CHANCE – Another one of the Mariners substitutes had a prime chance to to strike after an impressive one-two build up; from close range Sim’s shot was on target but Thomas made an impressive save.
Melbourne Victory 3
Central Coast Mariners 1
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Attendance: 22 285
Referee: Peter Green
Central Coast Mariners: 1.Matthew NASH (GK), 2.Storm ROUX, 3.Josh ROSE, 5.Zac ANDERSON, 7.John HUTCHINSON (c), 10.Anthony CACERES, 11.Nick FITZGERALD, 16.Liam ROSE (18. Glen TRIFIRO 67’), 20.Anthony KALIK (15.Matthew SIM 77’), 23.Isaka CERNAK (19. Matt SIMON 64’), 25.Eddy BOSNAR
Substitutes not used: 30. Adam PEARCE (GK), 4. Jacob POSCOLIERO
Yellow cards: Rose 25’, Hutchinson 31’, Bosnar 68’
Red cards:
Melbourne Victory: 4.Nick ANSELL, 5.Mark MILLIGAN (c), 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 7.Gui FINKLER (16.Rashid MAHAZI 78’), 8.Besart BERISHA, 9.Kosta BARBAROUSES, 10.Archie THOMPSON (11.Connor PAIN 90’), 15.Daniel GEORGIEVSKI (24.Scott GALLOWAY 71’), 17.Matthieu DELPIERRE, 20.Lawrence THOMAS (GK), 21.Carl VALERI,
Substitutes not used: 40.Michael TURNBULL (GK), 14.Fahid BEN KHALFALLAH
Yellow cards:
Red cards:
