A-League fans were treated to a goal-fest on Boxing Day evening, as Sydney FC outscored the Central Coast Mariners 4 to 1.
REPORT: BROSQUE INJURED AS SYDNEY MAUL MARINERS
It was an important match, both teams having gone without a win for some time, and Sydney made their intentions clear from the start as Rhyan Grant was denied by the crossbar in the opening minute from a firing header.
Sydney opened their account for the evening through their captain Alex Brosque, who slotted home an easy tap-in after some great play from Andrew Hoole, pouncing on a Mariners defensive turnover.
Brosque had a second soon after, making no mistake from the spot, to punish the Mariners for yet another error that led to the penalty. However the skipper had to be subbed off following the goal, having injured his hamstring as he scored.
Yet things were made worse for the Mariners, as Paul Izzo received his marching orders after bringing down George Blackwood inside the box. Mickael Tavares then stood up and converted his side’s third goal, despite 18-year-old Thomas Heward-Belle diving the right way.
The Mariners continued to attack, lifting late in the half. They were given a glimmer of hope as Harry Ascroft headed home his side’s first, and the Mariners went into the break with a sense of belief that they could turn things around.
While the second half was not as eventful as the first, referee Ben Williams remained busy, issuing four yellow cards.
The Sky Blues put the game to bed in the 84th minute, with Grant sending in a low cross which deflected off Jake McGing into the back of the net for Sydney’s fourth goal.
Despite conceding a late goal, keeper Tom Heward-Belle played very well after coming on for Izzo, the 18-year-old making numerous saves to keep his side in the game.
At the end of the day Sydney outclassed their opponents, with the result never in doubt after the first 30 minutes.
Final score
Sydney FC 4
Central Coast Mariners 1
Sydney FC host Central Coast Mariners at the Sydney Football Stadium in what is a must-win match for both sides, as they look to end the year on a high. Join The Roar from 7:30pm (AEDT) for live scores and commentary.
The harbour city will play host to this Boxing Day clash between the Sky Blues and the Mariners. Both teams will no doubt, be eager to claim the three points and look towards improving things in the New Year.
The Sky Blues have only managed one win in their past seven matches, with four of those matches ending in stalemates. Sydney currently sits fourth on table, very much in mix to challenge the top of the table.
Sydney will be determined to rectify last week’s draw with the Phoenix. The Sky Blues were in the pole position to claim a very handy win away, had they not conceded a late penalty which saw Roy Krishna convert, forcing Sydney to share the points.
The lowly Mariners, meanwhile, sit dead last on the table, with only one win in the first eleven games this season. If there was ever a time for the Mariners to turn their season around, it is right now as they travel to face the Sky Blues. The Mariners will be keen to end their current slump in form, losing their last four matches.
Statistically speaking, this match features the best defensive team against the worst defensive team this season. Sydney’s nine conceded goals thus far, is the least amount of goals conceded in the first eleven rounds. The Mariners, in contrast, have conceded the most goals, leaking an incredible 24 goals.
The last time these two sides met was earlier this year in round 4. A draw was very much on the cards, before Matt Simon emerged, scoring a brace against his former side, allowing Sydney to cruise to victory away from home.
Historically, this fixture has belonged to the Sky Blues. Sydney has won four out of their last five meetings with the Mariners. Fans can also be assured that there will be a winner in this match, with this meeting not having seen a draw since the 2011/12 season.
The spotlight this week will shine brightly upon Matt Simon, who will be facing his former club yet again. Simon scored 49 goals playing for the Mariners over 147 matches. Since his move to rivals Sydney this season Simon has featured in nine matches, with his only goals so far coming against the Mariners.
This will certainly be a fierce contest, both sides will be determined to end the year on a high and get back on track in the New Year.
Prediction: Sydney to bounce back.
2-0 Sydney FC.
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
Match Report. It was a very important match for both sides this evening, with both teams being without a win for quite some time. Sydney made their intentions clear early in the match as they almost snatched an early lead, with Rhyan Grant being denied by the crossbar in the opening minute from a firing header. Sydney then opened their account for the evening through their captain Alex Brosque, who slotted home an easy tap in after some great play from Andrew Hoole, pouncing on a Mariners defensive turnover. Brosque then had a second very quickly after, making no mistake from the spot, punishing the Mariners for yet another error that lead to the penalty. Brosque having had to be subbed off following the goal as he injured his hamstring as he scored the penalty. Things then exacerbated for the Mariners,as Paul Izzo was given his marching orders after bringing down Blackwood inside the box. Tavares then stood up and converted his sides third goal, despite 18 year old Heward-Belle diving the right way. Despite the significant deficit, the Mariners continued to attack and began to lift late in the half. The Mariners were given a glimmer of hope as Ascroft headed home his sides first, as the Mariners went into the break with a sense of belief that they could turn things around. The second half was not as eventful as the first. Referee Ben Williams however remained busy, issuing four yellow cards in the second half. The Sky Blues then put the game to bed in the 84th minute, with Rhyan Grant sending in a low cross which deflected of McGing into the back of the net for Sydney's fourth goal. Despite conceding a late goal, goalkeeper Tom Heward-Belle played very well after coming on for Paul Izzo. The 18 year-old making numerous saves to keep his side in the game. At the end of the day however, it was Sydney who outclassed their opponents tonight as the result never really seemed in doubt after the first thirty minutes. A real goal-fest this evening, however it was quite a one sided one of that. At full time it was, Sydney 4 (Brosque 12 & 24 (pen), Tavares 30' (pen), McGing (og) 84') def. 1 Central Coast (Ascroft 38')
Mister Football
Roar Guru
6th consecutive loss for the Mariners, which is either a record, or equals the current record, and I think I heard at one stage that this is now 21 consecutive away games without a win.
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
Full Time. Ben Williams blows for full time and it's Sydney that are victorious this evening, claiming their first win in eight matches, adding salt to the wounds of the Mariners. There were five goals tonight, in what was a very convincing Sydney FC win. SYD 4 CCM 1
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
93' Sydney FC win a late free kick in a very dangerous position. Maybe a little too far to score. SYD 4 CCM 1
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
91' Sydney playing very comfortably as they maintain possession in their attacking half. SYD 4 CCM 1
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
90' The fourth official has allocated three minutes to be played. Sydney meanwhile have a corner, which is delivered to the near post and cleared away by Montogomery. SYD 4 CCM 1
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Grant whipped it in a bit too quickly, the ball needed less weight on it, a tiny bit more air, and it would have landed on the head of one of two SFC players running in.
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
87' Rhyan Grant continues to impress tonight as he sends in yet another great ball to the far post in open play, however fails to find a blue shirt on the end of the cross. SYD 4 CCM 1
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
84' GOAL Sydney have four! A very well constructed goal as Ryan Grant, who has been excellent tonight, fires in a low cross inside the box, which comes off McGing and flies into the back of the net. Sydney restore their three goal lead. SYD 4 CCM 1
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
83' It looks as though fatigue is beginning to set in for the Mariners, with the Central Coast missing passes and not making many runs up front, as they have had to play with ten men for close to an hour now. SYD 3 CCM 1
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
80' Seb Ryall now joining in on the action, firing a powerful long range attempt which is saved brilliantly from 18 year-old Heward-Belle. SYD 3 CCM 1
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
79' Sydney FC win a corner as McGing clears it out of harms way. Sydney also make their final change. ON: Stambolziev. OFF: Blackwood
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
78' Simon goes down in box. No penalty and the Mariners are off on the counter with Fabio Ferreira making a darting run up the ground. The counter attack is defended well however, with the Sky Blues forcing the ball out of play. SYD 3 CCM 1
Mister Football
Roar Guru
at first I thought the angle may have been too tight, but looking at the replay, in fact there was plenty to aim for, should have been a goal
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
75' Sydney very unlucky not to score there. Ryan Grant delivers a beautiful first time cross to Andrew Hoole at the back post, who's denied by the side netting. A great chance to extend the lead and score his first goal from open play. SYD 3 CCM 1
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
74' Caceres fails to make much of the set piece, with his attempt sailing well over the crossbar allowing the Sky Blues to reset from defence. SYD 3 CCM 1
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
73' Roux is fouled right on the edge of the box as he has his shot, however Ben Williams does not play the advantage and gives the foul. A great chance for the Mariners to make things interesting. SYD 3 CCM 1
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
70' Inside the last twenty minutes and it is Sydney who maintain this two goal lead. This second half has been quite uneventful compared to the first half, however there is still plenty of football to be played in this match. SYD 3 CCM 1
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
69' Brandon O'Neil fires a shot from distance with his opposite foot, which gives the Mariners a slight scare, just going over the crossbar for a goal kick. SYD 3 CCM 1
Mister Football
Roar Guru
That was a very line-ball decision, the goal could just about have stood. Well done to CCM for taking it up to SFC with a man down, putting pressure on the SFC goal, but there will be openings at the other end for sure.