A spectacular strike from midfielder Brandon O’Neill has given Sydney FC a hard-earned 2-1 away A-League victory over winless Central Coast on Saturday.
O’Neill’s left-foot screamer from 25 metres in the 65th minute in Gosford rocketed into the net after the Mariners backed off and allowed him to take two touches and advance closer to goal.
The Mariners dominated the first half hour at Central Coast Stadium against a flat looking Sydney, who eventually roused.
Mariners skipper Matt Simon, who switched from Sydney FC in the off-season, ensured some scoreboard reward for the home team when he slid home a Matt Millar close from close range in the 16th minute.
But Adam Le Fondre equalised from the penalty spot in the 42nd minute, after Jack Clisby fouled Rhyan Grant just inside the area.
Kennedy got a hand to Le Fondre’s fierce spot kick down, but could only tip it into the roof of the net.
Prior to the goal Le Fondre, who has scored six goals in as many A-League games, had one shot blocked and another attempt from the Englishman had Mariners goalkeeper Ben Kennedy scrambling across his goal.
The home team had two chances in the first 25 seconds, with Connor Pain’s shot blocked by Grant and a follow up attempt blocked by Sky Blues goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne.
Early on, the Sky Blues looked unsettled by the Mariners pace out wide and robust approach, with Simon clattering into Jop van der Linden and Jacob Melling catching Milos Ninkovic on the knee.
Prior to O’Neill’s winner Sydney came closest to breaking the deadlock with Dutch defender van der Linden smashing a free kick against the crossbar.
The Marines tried hard to find an equaliser.in the final 20 minutes.
Aiden O’Neill had along range shot pushed away by Redmayne while substitutes Tom Hiariej and Michael McGlinchey both fired wide.
Meanwhile, there was a hold up in play in the second half when a man on crunches wearing a moon boot made it on to the field, and gesticulated to the crowd before he was removed by security.
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