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Highlights: Wanderers let another win go

Tony P has the Perth G on fire. (AAP Image/Paul Miller)
Roar Guru
29th October, 2016
24

For the second week in a row the Western Sydney Wanderers have let two points slip after once again giving up what looked like a comfortable lead against an improved and gutsy Central Coast Mariners at Spotless Stadium.

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A defensive howler by Wanderers centre back Robbie Cornthwaite gifted the Mariners Adam Berry a tap-in equaliser in the 61st minute against the run of play, cancelling out Brendon Santalab’s second-minute opener.

In fact, the Wanderers were lucky they didn’t go behind late in the game when Wanderers full back Jack Clisby handled the ball when trying to block a Trent Buhagiar cross much to Mariners’ coach Paul Okon’s disgust on the sidelines.

It would have been a frustrating night again for Wanderers’ coach Tony Popovic after his team’s bright start. They certainly didn’t lack chances, but their finishing was poor at times, Mitch Nichols the biggest culprit missing at least three very gettable chances.

Both teams had their moments in the first half and the Mariners would have been happy with their efforts. Fabio Ferreira in particular was very creative for the Mariners causing Wanderers defenders all sorts of problems with his runs into the box.

The Wanderers would have been happy with some nice touches on the ball but Argentine debutant Nico Martinez and the continued good form of Japanese recruit Jumpei Kusukami, although he didn’t make the most of his chances.

The second half saw the Wanderers control the first 15 minutes and they looked they looked comfortable until the Cornthwaite howler against the run of play sent shockwaves through Spotless Stadium.

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In fact from that point on the Mariners wrestled the game back into their control and had the better chances late. The Wanderers seemed to have lost their way and were lucky not to concede a second.

Okon would have been proud of his team’s effort and the fact that his team is showing some improvement and earned a point in a difficult stadium to play. For Popovic, whilst there are glimpses of what his side is capable of, consistency for 90 minutes is what is lacking at the moment and not taking advantage of several chances.

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