Central Coast Mariners 1 (Ferreira 74’) Melbourne City 0
The run down:
A thunderbolt strike from a Fabio Ferreira dead ball has provided the Central Coast Mariners with a valuable win and continued the club’s domination over Melbourne City with a 1-0 win at Central Coast Stadium.
The goal saved Tony Walmsley’s men from what would have been a cruel draw after largely dominating the fixture, especially a strong second half from the yellow and navy.
There were chances either way throughout a largely physical feature and City could have stolen a point late in the clash if not for the reflexes of Mariners custodian, Liam Reddy at the death.
Tony Walmsley can celebrate a successful start to his stint as the interim Central Coast Head Coach, with seven games remaining until the Hyundai A-League finals series.
Walmsley’s thoughts:
“Under tonight’s circumstances it was more about engaging the players, trying to get them aligned to the approach we needed to take and credit to them because they took it on exceptionally well.”
“I’m very proud of how they went about their business, they’ve dusted themselves off and did what was required.”
“To be fair it took time, they were the better team for the vast majority of the first half, they’ve got a lot of power, a lot of money and Liam Reddy was outstanding in the first half and again in the last minute of the game as well.”
“We needed to polish things up a bit after the first half but all in all half time was a tick for a satisfactory performance but room for improvement.”
“(in regards to making the finals) Well you’d like to think so. I’m a glass half full guy, I’m the eternal optimist and why not? Adelaide are in a bit of a slump, I don’t want to fuel their fire but we’re going to go to Adelaide with a short turnaround and try to win the game.”
“I said to the guys before the game, I already know when my end is up and that’s eight weeks from now – unless we get into the finals and I get an extra couple of weeks which would be nice.”
GOAL:
74’ FERREIRA GOAL – Connor Chapman fouls Isaka Cernak on the edge of the area. Several Mariners line up to take the free-kick, but the honour is rested upon the shoulders of Fabio Ferreira. Caceres lays the ball off for the former Red, and he dispatches with venom past a despairing Tando Velaphi.
Key Moments:
9’ CERNAK SHOT – Isaka Cernak recieves the ball on the right touchline after a long through ball by Nick Montgomery. He cuts inside and fires with the right boot from the edge of the 18-yard box, where the shot worries Velaphi but sizzles centimetres past the upright.
23’ REDDY SAVE – moments after David Williams squanders a one-on-one, Eric Paartalu leaps highest to meet an Aaron Mooy corner and his effort is acrobatically blocked by Reddy. The ball falls to Patrick Kisnorbo who fails to direct the second attempt on target.
30’ CACERES TACKLE – City break away from a Mariners corner, charging towards goal on the counter. Aaron Mooy plays the ball towards David Williams, but a lunging Anthony Caceres takes the ball away from his feet in an incredible last man tackle in the Mainers’ box.
37’ REDDY SAVE – The yellow and navy are caught ball watching as the ball falls to Josh Kennedy who is all too free 25 metres out from goal. The 32-year old turns and makes space for the shot, but can’t find a way past Reddy who dives comfortably to his left to deflect the effort wide.
50’ FERREIRA SHOT – Nick Montgomery masters the through ball again, this time picking out Ferreira on the right wing. His first touch is heavy but still allows him the space to shoot, however he can only manage to tickle the side netting as his drive flies wide.
56’ FITZGERALD HEADER – Montgomery finds Ferreira again with a crafty lobbed through-ball. Ferreira charges to the by-line and picks out Nick Fitzgerald with his cross, only for the 23-year old to head the ball straight down the throat of a diving Velaphi from 6-yards.
87’ FERREIRA APPLAUDED – After another stand-out performance in yellow and navy, Ferreira is substituted with three minutes remaining. The crowd rise as one to provide the Portuguese winger with a standing ovation.
90+4’ REDDY SAVE – Some late drama as the Mariners almost concede an equaliser with Iain Ramsey ghosting in on the back post to meet a Melbourne City cross from the right touchline. Reddy stayed tall and was able to block the shot to hold onto all three points at the death.
Central Coast Mariners 1
Melbourne City 0
Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Attendance: 6,079
Referee: Jarred Gillett
Central Coast Mariners: 3. Josh ROSE, 4. Jacob POSCOLIERO, 5. Zac ANDERSON, 7. John HUTCHINSON (c), 8. Nick MONTGOMERY, 10. Anthony CACERES (18. Glen TRIFIRO 86’), 11. Nick FITZGERALD, 12. Liam REDDY (gk), 23. Isaka CERNAK (2.Storm ROUX 87’), 25. Eddy BOSNAR, 26. Fabio FERREIRA (14. Travis MAJOR 87’)
Substitutes not used: 1. Matthew NASH (gk) and 16. Liam ROSE
Yellow cards: Bosnar 20’
Red cards: nil
Melbourne City: 4. Connor CHAPMAN (7. Iain RAMSAY 85’), 5. Erik PAARTALU (17. Jason HOFFMAN 68’), 6. Aaron MOOY, 8. Massimo MURDOCCA, 10. Robert KOREN, 15. David WILLIAMS (9. Harry NOVILLO 55’), 16. Josh KENNEDY, 20. Tando VELAPHI (GK), 24. Patrick KISNORBO (c), 27. Kew JALIENS, 29. Safuwan BAHARUDIN
Substitutes not used: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 18. Paulo RETRE
Yellow cards: Baharudin 32’, Hoffman 70’ and Chapman 73’
Red cards: nil
