Central Coast Mariners midfielder Nicky Travis watched two seemingly goalbound efforts come of nothing in Saturday’s 3-nil loss to Melbourne Victory, but is determined not to let the same thing happen again, when the side returns to its Bluetongue Stadium home for the second time in as many weeks, to take on Brisbane Roar.
Central Coast Mariners midfielder Nicky Travis watched two seemingly goalbound efforts come of nothing in Saturday-s 3-nil loss to Melbourne Victory, but is determined not to let the same thing happen again, when the side returns to its Bluetongue Stadium home for the second time in as many weeks, to take on Brisbane Roar.
Travis slid a shot agonisingly past the far post and forced Melbourne ‘keeper Mitchell Langerak into a fine save, both late in the first half, in a match the Mariners seemingly couldn-t buy a goal.
But Travis, like the rest of his teammates, will take plenty out of the performance, and hopes three points is the eventual outcome this Saturday night.
“I thought we played some good stuff at times but Melbourne took their chances and we didn-t,” said Travis.
“We probably could have taken something out of the game, and I thought we deserved to. When Melbourne took their chances we were pushing for a goal but it just didn-t seem to be going in.
“My shot in the first half was at nil-all and if that goes in it is a different game, especially when we are so good at holding on to points when we do go a goal up.”
Amazingly, the Central Coast hasn-t been able to celebrate a win over Brisbane (formerly Queensland) Roar with its home fans since the inaugural Pre-Season Cup back in 2005. Travis, a new arrival to Bluetongue this season, won-t be worrying himself about those kinds of statistics.
“Brisbane is a good team but obviously they have had a shake up recently so hopefully we can hit them hard, especially at our home ground and after a couple of bad results,” Travis said.
Indeed, the 22 year old-s experience against the Roar has been in the main positive, after the most recent clash between the two sides ended in a resounding 3-nil victory to the Yellow and Navy, with the Sheffield United academy product on the scoresheet.
“It was nice to get a goal so I-ll be looking to get in the box and have a few shots!” said Travis.
Saturday-s match will be the second of three blockbusters in the space of three weeks at the Mariners- bayside home, and Travis has issued a call to arms to Mariners Members and supporters, to get behind the side with a sea of yellow and wall of noise at Bluetongue.
“It-s really nice to play at home and it makes it even more special when there are a lot of fans here. It-s good that they make a lot of noise, especially the ones over there (the recently formed, vocal supporters the “Coast Boys”), it-s good, I like playing at home,” Travis said.
The Mariners- next home match of the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season will be against Brisbane Roar on Saturday, 19 December. Kick-off is at 6:00pm. Tickets are available online here or by phoning 132 849.
Mariners Four Match Christmas Packs are available online by clicking here
