The star attraction was missing but a bumper Gosford crowd was treated to a spectacular Central Coast goal blitz as they blew Sydney FC apart in a 7-2 thrashing on Saturday night.
A crowd of 15,686 – the Mariners’ biggest in five seasons – didn’t get the chance to see Sky Blues superstar Alessandro Del Piero, who was ruled out prior to kick-off with a hamstring problem.
But there were no complaints as they witnessed a nine-goal extravaganza – the equal highest-scoring game in A-League history.
A mix of horrendous defending and brilliant attacking were on show as Daniel McBreen netted the club’s first hat-trick and young gun Tom Rogic added two goals in a fine display.
The result would have been a sweet one for Mariners coach Graham Arnold, who turned down a chance to coach the Sky Blues this season.
Any disappointment among the fans at Italian legend Del Piero’s absence would have faded quickly after the home side came from behind to lead 3-1 at halftime.
A poor Mile Sterjovski back-pass was intercepted by Kruno Lovrek and the Croatian found Yau, who finished with a delightful chip kick in the eighth minute.
But the Mariners always looked more threatening in attack and were back on terms eight minutes later when Rogic scored from a blocked John Hutchinson shot.
The Sky Blues received another gift in the 27th minute as Michael McGlinchey’s wayward pass found Yau, but the striker missed the mark this time as he opted for power over precision.
The sloppy defending continued as Central Coast took the lead in the 29th minute thanks to a howler from Ivan Necevski.
The goalkeeper spilled a timid Rogic shot, and a Seb Ryall own goal ensued as McBreen tried to capitalise.
McBreen extended the advantage with a 39th-minute penalty, after McGlinchey had been barged over in the box by Trent McClenahan.
Sydney coach Ian Crook introduced Terry McFlynn and Blake Powell after halftime in a bid to revive the visitors’ hopes.
It looked to have worked when they deservedly pulled one back in the 54th minute when Ali Abbas brilliantly volleyed in Yau’s looped through ball.
But it proved to be false hope as the Mariners poured on four more goals in the space of 11 minutes.
The impressive McGlinchey danced his way into the box and unleashed a furious driven shot to score in the 56th minute before Rogic showed brilliant footwork to beat McFlynn and secure a brace in the 62nd.
Sydney capitulated as McBreen poked in his second in the 65th minute and secured his hat trick when he headed in Josh Rose’s cross two minutes later.
Matt
Guest
Hahaha. Saw the highlights, wow. They scored 2 goals, missing a striker had no impact on their attack. Conceding 7 is what killed them. But I'm sure they would have won if ADP was there :/
Nathan of Perth
Guest
*Quakes, grr, typo
Minister for Information for the Democratic People's Republic of Football
Guest
Hey I'm not putting it together. Some knob jockey who was appointed as coach is responsible for that. Do you want him?
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Come on you Qukes!
Ian
Guest
the photo on the preview page was a bit too close up for my liking. it startled me when i saw mcbreen's face. i'd be grinning after scoring a hat trick too. great performance by the mariners.
JR Salazar
Guest
The San Jose Earthquakes would slice Sydney FC apart. What rec-league defending from this proud outfit.
Chop
Guest
You also spend 50% more than the salary cap with your marquee players. Mariners develop young local talent and play as a team rather than overhyped players who obviously read to much of their own positive press. FC bought coaches and players, CC developed a COE and a culture. FC have had 5 or 6 Managers (it's hard to keep up), CC have had 2 I'd hate to do a comparision as to how many players have gone through FC it would be double the players CC have used. The problem is you're trying to buy a culture and team not develop one. All the FC fans I ask one thing, don't hate the Mariners because your jealous.
langou
Roar Guru
ohhh poor baby, having to put together a squad with the same amount of money as everyone else...so sad
langou
Roar Guru
"Gotta love fans" I wouldn't say Johnno is represenative of fans He did also call for Ange to be sacked after round two
philk
Guest
The Mariners have developed a number of 'untried teenagers'....Rogic,Ryan, Sainsbury, Amini to name a few. 'Perennial losers' you say!!!
Peter Wilson
Roar Guru
Mid What's worse, a 5-0 drubbing or a 7-2 smashing? At least we scored 2 goals and they were very nice goals too. Last time we played you and there were 9 goals we won 5-4. Didn't you lose 5-0 too? We've won 2 Golden Toilet Seats, how many have the Mariners won? The SFC players coming in won't rescue us either - they will be more confused about what to do than the players who have been there for 5 weeks, ADP isn't happy and doesn't like losing. He won't be pleased to be busting his guts (and hamstrings) to be languishing near the bottom with a bunch of no hopers. Come on Sydney, the whole world is watching - maybe that's part of the problem.
tony
Guest
It was horrible defending and keeper was even more so. The second goal was all his fault, he made a kindergarten mistake that if I was a coach I would have taken him off at half time. Plus the whole night he spend rolling and rolling on the field of grass, hoping and dreaming that he was gonna save those goals as a log in the water, had no clue. The defense was also Clueless and gutless, combine to make one massive disaster. Sack the keeper, he is gambling on these results for 100% sure.
kochie the villain
Guest
The "SYDNEY FC! BOOM SCORE SOME GOALS" chant also now really grates.
kochie the villain
Guest
first ever game i have walked out of on 75 mins - and I am a Villa fan back home! There was no way i was missing the train and waiting 2 hours in Gosford after that dross. Can say all the blabble about no passion no fight etc as even Stevie Wonder could have seen that. Have to hand it to the Mariners, they were a superb outfit. Really well organised and disciplined.
Rusty0256
Guest
Alessandro wasn't playing, And the rest were sent flailing, Defenders were left, Behind and bereft, Walking in A Mariners Wonderland
Midfielder
Guest
At first, we were losing, But then, we were cruising, We scored on the left, We scored on the right, Walking in a Mariners Wonderland
Midfielder
Guest
MVD GA said on 442 we have only just started the new formation is coming together... i.e. 4 - 2- 3- 1 ... maybe McBreen is the best up front as he can hold the ball as a single striker with the three mids coming in from behind... Kinda we have the diamond and 4-2-3-1 we can switch between games .... the more I see of GA the better I like him... Also cannot give enough to our scouts and the version to create the COE as we have some many talented players ... Cacares will replace Rojic as he replaced Musty ... wait to you see this kid Cacares only 16 I think but OMG... Watch young Trent as a CB IMO he could be the answer we need in the Socceroos ... only just 20 ...
MV Dave
Guest
Need to get over the Nux first Mid...then the big one...one week at a time. ;) Your boys were pretty decent by the way.
Midfielder
Guest
MVD Who is going to win...
Midfielder
Guest
Yep I remember Kossie's hackers .... and Breeze OMG ..... how could anyone forget ... I have many faults and weaknesses ... not in order but Scuba diving, surfing, football .... music add blues music especially ... love the Byron Bay Blues Fest... Love this group .... great story have a look at their home page of Playing for Change... ... http://playingforchange.com/ ... Good story about them on Wikipedia ... Playing for Change is a multimedia music project, created by the American producer and sound engineer Mark Johnson with his Timeless Media Group, that seeks to bring together musicians from around the world. Playing For Change also created a separate non-profit organization called the Playing For Change Foundation which builds music schools for children around the world. The project started in 2004 with the organization's self-described goal to "inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music". The creators of the project, Mark Johnson and Enzo Buono, traveled around the world to places including New Orleans, Barcelona, South Africa, India, Nepal, the Middle East and Ireland. Using mobile recording equipment, the duo recorded local musicians performing the same song, interpreted in their own style. Among the artists participating or openly involved in the project are Vusi Mahlasela, Louis Mhlanga, Clarence Bekker, Tal Ben Ari (Tula), Bono, Keb' Mo', David Broza, Manu Chao and Grandpa Elliott. The project's first single "Stand by Me", began with a Santa Monica street performer named Roger Ridley (now deceased).[1] The duo traveled the world, recording more and more musicians. All of these versions were considered for mixing a pastiche final version