The Western Sydney Wanderers surged to the top of the A-League ladder after claiming their biggest scalp, knocking the Central Coast off the summit with a 1-0 win on Saturday night.
An 81st-minute goal from Labinot Haliti ensured the Wanderers became the first team to beat the Mariners on home turf this season and put the new boys in first place – a spot the Mariners had occupied for 14 straight weeks.
The win also saw them equal Melbourne Victory’s all-time longest winning streak of eight straight triumphs.
“The feeling of being top of the table hasn’t really sunk in yet,” Wanderers coach Tony Popovic said.
“Winning this game is just really pleasing. It was tough conditions and they are an excellent team.
“We weren’t at our best on the ball but we found a way to win.
“They’re undefeated at home, so to come come here and win … it’s just a great day for our football club.”
The Mariners squandered many chances but their best opportunity came when unlikely penalty-taker in ‘keeper Mathew Ryan had his second-half spot-kick saved by Ante Covic.
With both sides boasting equally the best defensive records in the league, it was always going to be hard work getting a goal in a fast and furious encounter played in front of a 18,721-strong crowd.
Neither rain or Cityrail track works were going to stop the more than 6,000 Wanderers faithful making the trip to Gosford – the largest contingent of visiting fans at Bluetongue Stadium.
The Mariners, starting with the same team that dismantled Melbourne Victory 6-2 last week, looked like getting on the scoresheet early when last Saturday’s hat-trick hero Michael McGlinchey just shaved the post with a shot less than two minutes in.
Adam D’Apuzzo had a chance to give the visitors the advantage in the 29th minute when he found himself one-on-one with the ‘keeper but sent his shot over the crossbar.
The Mariners kept firing in the opening stanza with Daniel McBreen and Bernie Ibini getting chances but the Wanderers’ stoic defenders Michael Beauchamp and Nikolai Topor-Stanley were always perfectly placed to defuse the efforts.
The Mariners could have gone ahead when awarded a penalty after Wanderers Croatian import Dino Kresinger brought Patrick Zwaanswijk down in the box.
Gloveman Rayn stepped up to the mark in the 52nd minute with fellow ‘keeper Covic saving his shot.
Mariners coach Graham Arnold was left to rue missed opportunities.
“I thought we played very well, football-wise we dominated,” Arnold said.
“But if you don’t take your chances you cop one up the backside at the other end and that’s what happened.
“We had some good chances, they had one and they finished it.
“We’ve thrown three points away tonight.”
WSW77
Guest
Gotta say mate we were lucky but as we know that's football. I told you RBB would invade, very glad there where no incidents and everyone behaved themselves.
Midfielder
Guest
Football was the winner .... Drive Byes took their chance and won... RBB taught the locals a thing or two and that is not bad thing... big respect to RBB...
Swampy
Guest
Thoroughly enjoyed the match as a neutral. It would be interesting to see what the ratings were as there was cricket, rugger and afl on at the same time. I know I found the football the more exhilarating to watch. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
Professor Rosseforp
Guest
Did many of the Mariners players back up from the international club match earlier in the week? Conditions at the stadiun were horrendous, but the traffic semed to head back to Sydney pretty smoothly. Good timing by CityRail to have track work during a rare major event in Gosford, so buses replaced trains.
Adrian
Guest
i watch the 1st half ..and the game look to be at a fast high tempo pace..better then watching ECL matches
MV Dave
Guest
Terrific viewing for the neutral on TV. Amazing to see such a crowd in such horrendous conditions...credit to both CCM and WSW supporters for making a vibrant and colorful backdrop to the game...Robbie Slater labels it as one of the great occasions in A League history. Hopefully the crowd and atmosphere can be replicated when CCM host a semi final next month.
pete4
Guest
CCM were the better side but when you miss another penalty, hit the crossbar in the middle of the 2nd half you just knew WSW was going to be able to sucker punch them... and they did A special well done for to the fans who turned up in the driving rain. The WSW supporters ended up being the 12th man
Fletcher
Guest
Can't even find a WSW jersey on the black market :( GWS jerseys however... 4 for $10 at Target ;)
striker
Guest
As a WSW fan i gotta say CCM were the better team in a great game in terrible weather but i will take the win any day, i hope these two team are in the finals as they really deserve too.