A rollercoaster of a game at Our Paradise ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw, in our final home game of the regular Isuzu UTE A-League 2025/26 season.
Both sides were looking to take the three points to keep finals hopes alive, with the final result realistically not doing much to help either side.
Whilst we celebrated 300 appearances in the career of legendary goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne, born just 500m away from Polytec Stadium in Gosford Hospital, a fellow Coastie at the opposite stage of his career, making his debut, would steal the headlines…
🔢 Line-Up
Warren Moon made six changes as the Mariners had just a three-day turnaround from facing Melbourne City away from home on Tuesday evening.
Most notably, 18-year-old Jesse Mantell was handed his first senior start after coming off the bench on Tuesday, whilst Andrew Redmayne lined-up for the 300th time in his extraordinary career, becoming just the 15th player in A-League history to reach that milestone.
Haine Eames returned from international duty to start in midfield, whilst James Donachie, Sabit Ngor, Storm Roux and Oli Lavale also came into the starting eleven to complete the changes.
First Half
Brisbane took the lead after just three minutes, working a short corner before James McGarry’s delivery found the head of Samuel Klein, who’s header gave Redmayne no chance as it went in off the underside of the bar.
The visitors continued their strong start, Redmayne equal to another chance for Klein as he got down to make a sharp save, before then saving comfortably from Georgios Vrakas’ effort from outside the box.
Following a strong opening from the visitors, neither side really gained control of the game as a scrappy period followed, Donachie and Klein were both shown yellow cards after exchanging blows on each other, as Brisbane racked up seven fouls less than 30 minutes.
The next chance of the game came on 31 minutes as Michael Ruhs was played in but could only fire straight at Redmayne.
The Mariners grew into the game before half time but didn’t have a clear cut chance to show for it, Ngor’s powerful strike straight at Dean Bouzanis our best effort of the half.
Second Half
An incredible start to the second half saw the Mariners turn the game on it’s head within 12 minutes, firstly equalising through a magical moment for Mantell who marked his home debut with a goal for his boyhood club.
A special, special moment at Our Paradise! One of our own, 18-year-old Jesse Mantell, marks his home debut with a goal 🌟
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) April 10, 2026
Watch until the end, the Yellow Army didn't want to let him go! 🤣💛#CCMFC | @aleaguemen pic.twitter.com/JZh0VjXIRI
Just three minutes later, we were in front, a wicked delivery from the left foot of Lucas Mauragis was met by a bullet header from half-time substitute Nathaniel Blair.
TWO goals in seven minutes ⏰😲 @CCMariners are absolutely flying!
— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) April 10, 2026
Nathanael Blair gives his side the lead to keep their finals hopes alive.
📺 Watch #CCMvBRI live now on Paramount+ pic.twitter.com/B3ys7W7bJK
Desperate to save their season, Roar pushed for an equaliser and came close on 71 minutes when Henry Hore headed against the outside of the woodwork.
Just as it looked like the Mariners were going to hold on, there would be a heartbreaking twist in extra time as Roar substitute Jordan Lauton pounced on a loose ball in the box to head past Redmayne and secure a point for the visitors.
Next Up ✈️
Although now it is out of our hands, the Mariners will prepare to continue the fight for finals as we take on the current top two away from home in the final two rounds, away to Auckland FC next Sunday before our final day F3 Derby in Newcastle.
