The Central Coast Mariners have kept their finals hopes alive with a shock 2-0 win on the road against the Western Sydney Wanderers.
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Final score
Western Sydney Wanderers 0
Central Coast Mariners 2
The Central Coast Mariners and Western Sydney Wanderers are both full of confidence after convincing wins which makes for a crucial clash this Sunday in the race for finals football at Spotless Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 5pm AEDT.
After downing Adelaide United and securing back-to-back wins for the first time as Mariners’ Head Coach, Okon is hungry for a hat-trick of wins that would see his team move to just two points out of the top six.
Key man Fabio Ferreira has finally hit top form for the Mariners, bagging two goals in two games to aid the Mariners race to the finals.
The Portuguese winger is important in the Mariners’ ability to counter-attack, with the flamboyant winger drifting out wide and making penetrating runs through the middle, he has become a handful for defenders in the second half of this season.
With these runs being made it allows fellow wingers Trent Buhagiar and Connor Pain the space to be able to make runs in behind as Ferreira drags defenders away. We saw Ferreira do this many times against Perth Glory in Round 17.
Some more attacking flair returns for The Mariners as Blake Powell returns from injury. The midfielder scored last time the Mariners faced off with the Wanderers in their 4-1 loss at home in Round 9 and has become a bogey player against the Wanderers away from home, scoring four goals in a 4-1 win for Wellington last season.
Sydney’s West is set for a scorching few days of hot temperatures which adds to the challenge of facing the Wanderers at Spotless Stadium.
In Round 4 the Mariners travelled to Spotless Stadium for the first time in an end-to-end match that saw them fight from a goal down to draw 1-1 thanks to Adam Berry’s maiden Hyundai A-League goal. The Wanderers head back to Spotless Stadium with the boost of a 3-1 win away to Wellington last week.
War horse Mitch Nichols returns to the line-up after being sidelined with a suspension. The attacking midfielder has arguably been the Wanderers’ most important player this season, as he maintains the most distance travelled in the entire team with an average of ten kilometres travelled a match.
Add to that his ability to come up with a goal-creating chance or the goal-scoring prowess himself and it’s all guns blazing, the Wanderers heading into the finals with Nichols in their side.
The Wanderers did exceptionally well last week in getting in behind, taking the ball to the by-line where Wellington were incapable of stopping cutbacks. The Mariners have a similar problem and we have seen them concede many times this way.
Brendan Santalab scored twice and assisted another last week, that talent should be on show again along with Nico Martinez, Santalab is a shoe-in to have a contribution.
Something has to give in this contest – either the Mariners will snap a four-game losing run away from home or the Wanderers will post their first win at their makeshift home venue at Olympic Park.
Or perhaps nothing will give, and these two in-form sides will play out a draw – something not at all unfamiliar with the Wanderers this season. I’m predicting a scoring draw and Brendan Santalab to score.
144
Roar Guru
I thought there wouldn't be more than 8K
144
Roar Guru
This season is terribly poor! I asked him in the post-match press conference whether he will come at each competition with the same mentality in regards to importance and he said he would. I don't like disrespecting competitions, but in all seriousness, The Wanderers missing out on the finals will be a disaster and are one step closer to slipping out! The longer they spend within arms distance of 9TH spot, THAT'S RIGHT 9TH IS ONLY 2 POINTS AWAY! Then i don't understand the deal with Popa!
AZ_RBB
Guest
Welcome to the A-League. There are 27 rounds which makes it one of the shortest football leagues in the world. Each team plays each other 3 times which 1 more than standard but understandable for a young league. WSW are actually in 6th spot (play off spot) and have finished in the top 2 on three occasions from only 4 attempts. There's also an Asian Champions League trophy in our cabinet. Embarrassing is a poor choice of word. Hope you find a team soon and enjoy this great little league of ours.
Midfielder
Guest
ST Eight starting players capable of playing in the youth league and two subs as well ... If we can keep the kids together add a 6 & 10 to the side we will be very very very very competitive again...
Midfielder
Guest
AZ Just stay away from our boy Roy ...
ac
Guest
This season just keeps on going and going - way too long ! How many times does each team play each other? Wanderers are getting to be an embarrassment.
AZ_RBB
Guest
We'll be lucky to hold on to 6th spot from here. 6th spot isn't THAT bad and there's still time salvage something. Our midfield has been quality this season, we move the ball brilliantly in the middle of the field. But up front we are nothing short of woeful. Popa's hatred for strikers is inexplicable. Scott almost nowhere to be seen. Where is Steve Lustica? There's just way too much being made of the Homebush situation. It feels soulless because fans aren't turning up. Any ground feels soulless when it's nearly empty. When we went 2-0 down I went for a walk around the stadium and found that the view from most parts is actually very decent thanks to steep stands. No excuse for staying away except for fickleness. I feel really bad for Aspro. I think he's been our best player this season. He was unlucky to concede a pen today. Hope he stays with us next season. Sometimes defenders can actually be supported by strikers. When defenders see their forwards miss chance after chance, it effects them after a certain point. Next week's Derby will be a huge test for the whole club. Popa has failed to get even his better teams up for Derbies, let's see what he can do this week. The team needs to lift their heads and stay on task. The club's rusted on support needs to make a statement and show that results won't sway us.
Roy
Guest
Popovic should get sacked after leading WSW to an extremely poor performance against CCM. For a good 60mins of the game, the WSW corners kick was played short and never ever threaten CCM. Your tactical play was so poor. You keep attacking via your left side with Jumpei.. and many times Nicholls was drag to the side too leaving no target man upfront.. You stuck with this until CCM scored a goal. The reason why WSW cant score a goal is that your build up play to feed strikers needs to be revised and stop asking ur players to run with the ball all so often. You will only tired them out. U need to put Santalab up front to hold up the ball and feed onto the wingers who shoud be making inside runs instead of running to the corners Unless you change tactics Tony, you are only gonna upset your fans and eventually the Board of Directors
jamesb
Guest
Well done Mariners. Earlier in the season, Okon did say some strange things, but now he might well be justified.
Squizz
Guest
10 of the 14 Mariners players used 23 or younger 1 x 18 year old starter 1 x 19 year old starter 1 x 19 year old replacement 2 x 21 year old starters 1 x 21 year old replacement 2 x 22 year old starters 1 x 23 year old starter 1 x 23 year old replacement
Mister Football
Roar Guru
No live blog of the W-League grand final?
Stuart Thomas
Expert
what a great result. go mariners. good for the league and good for the soul. enjoy midfielder.
Swanny
Guest
Roy is a top finisher . I think the jets are sending feelers his way I can't help but admire the mariners this season . On a shoestring but improving out of sight . Okon must be a helluva good coach
Midfielder
Guest
How sweet it is ... and Popa keep away from our boy Roy...
Melange
Guest
You think there's more Nicholas?
144
Roar Guru
Thanks Everyone for listening in tonight! Enjoy your Sunday and don't forget the A-League action isn't over! Newcastle Jets take on Melbourne Victory tomorrow night at The Mcdonald Jones Stadium! Get Around It! GOODNIGHT
144
Roar Guru
Fantastic result from the Mariners! Terrific second half performance from the men in yellow! They are blossoming now under Okon! Some tough games ahead but these are the real tests! Wanderers however have to juggle the ACL as well as a desperate fight for finals football!
144
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME The Central Coast Mariners battled through wave after wave of Wanderers attacks to strike a killing blow of their own as they run away with a vital three points which sees them within touching distance of a finals spot. Jonothan Aspropotamitis brought down Liam Rose in the box which saw Roy O'Donovan convert cooly from the spot. He doubled his lead only minutes later with a sublime chip coming off Nick Montgomery's searching ball to score his tenth goal of the season. The Mariners jump into seventh spot for now and have their third win in a row for the first time since March of 2014!
Lionheart
Guest
I hope Wanderers aren't playing their ACL home matches at this ground.
144
Roar Guru
YELLOW CARD - ROY O'DONOVAN Kicking the ball away... 2-0 up..... in injury time