It’s the F3 derby in Round 1 of the A-League as bitter New South Wales rivals the Central Coast Mariners and Newcastle Jets meet in Gosford. Join The Roar from 5:00pm (AEST) for all the action and scores.
These two clubs don’t like each other and the rift has been further exacerbated by recent claims made by Marcos Flores. The Argentine, now with the Jets, was a Mariners player last season but was cut by the Central Coast after picking up a season-ending ACL injury. Flores says the club didn’t support him, coach Phil Moss denies this, all adding further fuel to the fire for Saturday night.
The Jets and the Mariners have played each other 32 times in the history of the A-League with 11 draws, 12 Mariner wins and nine Jets wins, indicating the closeness of this contest. It’s one separated by 86km and most famously played out in the 2008
grand final.
Both teams come into this opening season fixture with changed squads. The Jets have had much more turnover, with a new coach in Phil Stubbins and new signings like Flores, Jeronimo Neumann, Adrian Madaschi, Johnny Steel, Edson Montano and Billy Celeski arriving at Hunter Stadium.
The Mariners still have the same core of Liam Reddy, Zac Anderson, Josh Rose, Matt Simon, John Hutchinson, Nick Montgomery and Mitch Duke, but Bernie Ibini and Michael McGlinchey have departed and they have brought in imports Malick Mane and Richard Vernes.
It’s very hard to know what to expect from Newcastle as they are missing a clutch of midfielders and Flores isn’t back to full fitness. Expect the former Adelaide United man to make an appearance at some point, but the Jets are pretty much unrecognizable from last season.
Joel Griffiths and David Carney should play key roles in the front third, while Mark Birighitti will get the nod at the back.
Moss will most likely aim for the same formation and playing style from the 2013-2014 campaign, making the Mariners tough to beat, especially at home.
No one is expecting much from Newcastle so it will be fascinating to see what Phil Stubbins can conjur up in his first match at the helm. Equally, the Mariners have been quiet on the transfer front while several other clubs have been busy.
With the quality of talent rising across the A-League, will the Central Coast boys be able to keep up with the rest this season? They’ve made a history of over-achieving in the first 10 years of the competition.
All should be answered on Saturday afternoon. Join us from 5.00pm (AEST) for all the action from Central Coast Stadium.
Kurt
Guest
They dominated the back, In front they were extremely weak, I expected more from their strikers. Mind you, I'm a mariners supporter so no complaints here
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Painful to watch at times. Newcastle had some good moments, but neither team will fare too well. My vote is CCM for wooden spooners if nothing changes. Newcastle have some hope once they get going, but CCM extremely lucky and undeserving of victory tonight.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
They call it daylight robbery. But a win is a win :)
jamesb
Guest
CCM have won at the death, but gee, these two teams need to improve, otherwise it will be a long long season for both the Jets and CCM
John Davidson
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME Mariners steal a win with a goal from Duke in injury-time. Jets had the better of it but go home without any points. Mariners 1 Jets 0
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'93 Reagan tumbled down there but Duke too strong. Jets have dominated this game largely, very tough for them to not at least get a point. Mariners 1 Jets 0
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'92 GOAL MARINERS! Ball is lofted in from a free kick and Duke puts it in. Heart break for the Jets Mariners 1 Jets 0
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'91 Four minutes of injury time. Poor touch there from Flores. Mariners 0 Jets 0
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'89 Free kick after free kick at the moment. Reddy makes another timely stop. Mariners 0 Jets 0
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'87 That's a yellow card for Jaliens, who cleans up Fitzgerald hard. Mariners 0 Jets 0
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'85 Flores wins a free kick in the Mariners half. Carney's cross is way too long. Game winding down but there to be won by either team. Mariners 0 Jets 0
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'83 Pepper is brought down and earns a free kick. Mariners 0 Jets 0
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'81 Header cleared by Anderson. Cernak on for Roux. Mariners 0 Jets 0
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'79 Down the other head and Triffiro heads one over. Then the Jets picked up another corner, their seventh. Roux is down and he will be off. Mariners 0 Jets 0
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'77 Jets earn themselves a corner but the Mariners clear. And now Jeronimo on for Montano. Mariners 0 Jets 0
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'75 John Hutchinson sprays one just wide. Mariners 0 Jets 0
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'74 10,443 at Central Coast Stadium today. Not bad. Mariners 0 Jets 0
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'72 Just a little long that dink from Flores. Still finding his way back. Mariners 0 Jets 0
jamesb
Guest
The band is firing up here
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'70 For me Mariners lacking a bit of class in the McGlinchey/Ibini mould. Could be a long season. Jets surprising, could continue to upset a few teams this season. Mariners 0 Jets 0