Sydney FC’s Matthew Simon – formerly of Central Coast – steered the club to a win over his old side, kicking two late goals to give the team a 3-1 win.
Sydney were the first on the board through Shayne Smeltz but the Mariners struck back almost instantly with a goal through Roy O’Donovan.
The game was then deadlocked on 1-1 until the 82nd minute when Simon scored his first, only to back it up with another in the 87th.
Told he was no longer required ahead of this season, it’s a sweet victory for Simon, and sends Sydney to the top of the table.
Final score
Central Coast 1
Sydney FC 3
Sydney FC will be looking to keep their incredible road form rolling when they travel to face the Central Coast Mariners on Saturday. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 5:15pm (AEDT).
Sydney are sitting pretty on the top of the table after the first three matches of the season, whilst also being the only team who haven’t lost a match. They come up against the eighth placed Central Coast Mariners who will be out to defend their home ground advantage at the Central Coast Stadium.
Most people see Sydney as the team to beat this season, but watching their past three matches I can’t say that I’m convinced. Their last two wins have come from cheap goals in the dying stages of the game. As a result, Sydney will be looking to really prove that they are the premier team in the competition this season after finishing runners up last year – so we can expect an aggressive start from Graham Arnold’s team.
The Sky Blues like to play a deep defence getting 10 players behind the ball, leaving Shane Smeltz or Alex Brosque up front. Once there is a clearance in the back half the midfielders and wingers look to run up the field in a press to cause a quick counter attack or hold possession.
Conversely, Sydney’s games this season seem to be in a similar style to Chelsea’s last season – with all three games being low scoring games (1-1, 1-0 and 1-0), and with their last two wins their goals have all been in the last two minutes of playing time. Like Chelsea, Sydney’s goals can come from anywhere and from any player – with Brosque, Holosko and Ninkovic all scoring goals for the side with Shane Smeltz the only name yet to hit the scoresheet – watch out for him this game.
The Mariners have had a torrid run since there opening match day where they saw out Perth Glory in a thrilling five goal affair. If they are to win this match against Sydney they will have to tighten up their defence which has seen seven goals blasted past them in the past three games.
The shining light is Portuguese winger Fabio Ferreira, who has already netted two goals this season. If he gets going in this game we should expect a closer contest, but up against the league’s best defence it will be hard to see that happening.
Central Coast’s games are generally open, fast and free flowing games with high scores, in comparison to the slow build-up play that Sydney like.
There are many match winners that will be facing up on Saturday. Watch out in particular for Mariners’ star man Ferreira, along with Sydney’s Shane Smeltz and Alex Brosque.
If the match is tight, expect Sydney to come through with a late winner as they have done in the last few matches. But don’t be fooled by the Mariners’ last two losses, as they are still a dangerous force in the A-League this season.
Join The Roar from 5:15pm (local time) as we find out.
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