The Central Coast Mariners gave Perth Glory a surprise on Saturday, with two quick goals in 48th and 52nd minutes taking them to a 2-0 win.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Central Coast Mariners 2
Perth Glory 0
Football returns to Gosford, with the Central Coast Mariners hoping to get themselves off the bottom of the ladder when they host Perth Glory at Bluetongue Stadium. Join The Roar from 5:35pm (AEDT) for live scores and commentary.
It was a season-defining win last time out for the Glory, coming from behind in glorious fashion to topple an in-form Melbourne Victory outfit. Late goals from super-sub Nebojsa Marinkovic and Adam Taggart sealed the three points for the Glory, who are now unbeaten in their last five matches.
Perth’s new year resurgence has seen the club climb into the top six. However, with the Wellington Phoenix and the Western Sydney Wanderers only three points behind, the Glory must not let their guard down, especially given they have only managed just one win away from home.
Meanwhile, it was a familiar tale last week for Central Coast, who narrowly went down to Melbourne City after Roy O’Donovan’s sending off shifted the course of the match in the favour of the home side.
Despite sitting at the bottom of the table, the Mariners have shown glimpses of improvement recently, highlighted by their incredible match with league leaders Sydney FC which they lost closely after rectifying a two-goal deficit.
A win today could potentially see them jump ahead of Adelaide United and away from last on the ladder.
The last time these two sides met was back in November, when the Mariners notched up their second win of the season. Perth has only managed to beat the Mariners once at Bluetongue Stadium, back in November, 2014. Yet the Glory will be determined to improve their disappointing away record this season.
O’Donovan’s absence through suspension is a big blow for the home side, having scored eight of the Mariners’ 18 goals this season. It comes as a stroke of luck for the Glory, who have suffered problems in defence this season, having conceded 31 goals after 16 rounds – the second highest in the league.
Yet, it’s the Mariners who have conceded the most goals, letting 34 slip past. They will have to be extra cautious given the options the Glory has at its disposal.
Prediction
The Mariners have shown a lot of spirit recently, however they will need a lot more than that to overcome an in-form Perth Glory side looking to extend its unbeaten run to six matches.
Perth 3-1.
Join The Roar from 5:35pm (AEDT) for live scores and commentary.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Attendance: 7,205.
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
FULL TIME The Yellow Army will be in full force this evening as the Mariners win just their third game of the season! It was a very impressive display from the home side right until the very end, playing some great football along the way. The Glory's Gosford hoodoo continues going down 2-0 to the Central Coast Mariners.
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
93' Keogh is fouled on the wing giving the Glory a chance for a consolation goal. Marinkovic whips the ball into the box which is headed away by the Mariners defence for a Perth throw in. Mariners – 2 Glory – 0
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
The fourth official has indicated that there will be an extra 5 minutes of stoppage time.
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
88' The Mariners make their final change as star midfielder Fabio Ferreira comes off to a standing ovation from the home supporters as Adam Berry comes on to replace him for the final few minutes. Mariners – 2 Glory – 0
Swanny
Guest
Paul izzo. Has had a brilliant game . In the top 3 votes for sure
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
87' Paul Okon makes another change bringing on Appiah to replace Connor Pain who has been all over the place this afternoon. Mariners – 2 Glory – 0
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
RED CARD It has gone from bad to worse for the Glory as Liam Reddy is sent off after he collects Buhagiar outside the box who was in the clear to make it 3-0. Nick Montgomery gives his mate a wave as he is escorted off the field. Nick Feely is meanwhile brought on as the substitute goalkeeper. Mariners – 2 Glory – 0
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
82' Izzo coming to his sides rescue once again with a risky piece of goal keeping almost conceding a penalty as he charged out to tap the ball away from Chris Harold. The ball falls to Smiljanic on the edge of the box who can't keep his shot down and sails over for a goal kick. Mariners – 2 Glory – 0
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
80' What a save from Paul Izzo denying Diego Castro once again! It looked as though the Spaniard was destined to score, finding room inside the box however it just wasn't to be as Izzo pulls off a fine save. Mariners – 2 Glory – 0
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
79' Buhagiar fires a lazy attempt from distance following a Glory turnover, probably could have looked to pass it off or even run further inside the box. Mariners – 2 Glory – 0
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
77' Less than a quarter of an hour to go and the Mariners are still on top here in Gosford. The home side have tried to slow the game down it seems, knowing full well how the Glory came back in the late stages of last weeks match against the Victory. Mariners – 2 Glory – 0
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
74' Paul Okon makes his first change taking off goal scorer Josh Bingham who is replaced by Blake Powell. Mariners – 2 Glory – 0
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
72' Poscoliero receives a yellow card for a tackle on Andy Keogh. The Glory take the free kick quickly where Marinkovic finds Keogh inside the box perfectly, but is unable to direct his header on target going out for a goal kick. Mariners – 2 Glory – 0
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
71' Inside the last twenty minutes and the Mariners still maintain their 2-0 lead. The home side are not sitting back however, looking to find that third goal to finish the game. The Glory will need to find something and quickly if they want to get back into this game as it has been all Central Coast for much of this second half. Mariners – 2 Glory – 0
jamesb
Guest
Go the Mariners!
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
67' A bit of spite beginning to creep into this contest as frustration levels begin to increase. Mariners – 2 Glory – 0
pete4
Guest
Should have been game over. Won't get a better one...
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
65' Josh Bingham coming so very close to doubling his account and putting the game to bed, heading the ball just over the crossbar following another great cross from Fabio Ferreira who has been instrumental this afternoon. Mariners – 2 Glory – 0
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
64' Andy Keogh feeling as though he should have been awarded a penalty and rightly so as it looked as though Risdon had a decent hold of him in that previous play. Mariners – 2 Glory – 0