Adelaide United
0
PREVIEW
Central Coast Mariners
0
Match result:
Adelaide are winners, thanks to a George Blackwood stoppage-time header for a 2-1 win over a valiant Central Coast Mariners.
Andrew Hoole’s first half lead for the Mariners was a classy finish and strike, and the Mariners looked good for an upset win.
But ultimately, the class and quality of Adelaide shone through, with goals to Isaias and Blackwood giving Adelaide a hard-fought and deserved win.
The Mariners will rue missed chances and a moment’s drop in concentration, but can take a lot out of the game.
As for Adelaide, they stay in the conversation for contenders this season, with everything to continue to play for.
Final score
Adelaide United 2
Central Coast Mariners 1
Match preview:
It is the twilight game from Coopers Stadium, with Adelaide United will be looking to keep pace with the top four, while Central Coast will be looking to steal a win. Join The Roar from 6pm (AEDT) for live scores and blog of the game.
Come into the second half of the season, Adelaide will be looking to put their Jekyll and Hyde identity behind them, as they head into the stretch for finals.
Wobbly at home, sturdy away, Adelaide have a fantastic opportunity to rubber stamp a win and three competition points and start the push for a position to host a final.
After yet another strong showing away to Perth mid-week, how the Reds back up from that clash may determine how they perform here, although having had three full days’ rest should assist.
It is time for Craig Goodwin to rediscover his early season form again, in particular if Adelaide are to re-gain that attacking flair that made them so appealing in the opening rounds.
As usual, Isaias will be the machine in the middle for the Reds again.
Central Coast have hit form, on the back of the drought-breaking win over Melbourne, the hard-fought draw against Brisbane, and the hugely unlucky loss against Newcastle mid-week.
How Central Coast didn’t register a goal against Newcastle, only higher beings will know, and had Newcastle not pulled out their singularly best defensive performance of the year, the Mariners may well be coming into this match off the back of a famous win.
Mike Mulvey will be looking to his troops to bottle the energy they have now displayed consistently, with the likes of Matt Simon, Connor Pain and Jacob Melling all lifting in their output and creating havoc for Central Coast opponents.
It is worth noting that Adelaide are on a five-game unbeaten streak against the Mariners at the moment, while Central Coast have not won an away game in almost a year.
Prediction
Central Coast have looked good, but you have to wonder what the soul-sapping loss to Newcastle will do to an already battered psyche.
Adelaide on the other hand come home having held the ladder leader goalless. Adelaide at home should be too strong.
Adelaide 2-nil.
Join The Roar for live coverage of the game from 6pm (AEDT), and don’t forget to leave a comment in the comment section below.
EJ
Roar Pro
lucky win from United, very happy fan here but very sloppy in parts of the game, happy for Blackwood as well, he cops a lot of criticism but he's a young developing player, he will eventually come together and hopefully make a good striker one day, maybe for the national team if he's good enough
perry cox
Roar Guru
I know, right? How hard is it, when you are literally paid to do little else?
perry cox
Roar Guru
Full time And Adelaide are the winners, thanks to a George Blackwood stoppage time header for a 2-1 win over a valiant Central Coast Mariners. Andrew Hoole's first half lead for the Mariners was a classy finish and strike, and the Mariners looked good for an upset win. But ultimately, the class and quality of Adelaide shone through, with goals to Isaias and Blackwood giving Adelaide a hard fought, and deserved win. Mariners will rue missed chances and a moment's drop in concentration, but can take a lot out of the game. As for Adelaide, they stay in the conversation for contenders this season, with everything to continue to play for. A thrilling encounter out of Adelaide, with the Reds earning the win. Adelaide United - 2 Central Coast - 1
perry cox
Roar Guru
96' - The game should be up, and Blackwood is offside. Kennedy will send it long, but the whistle is imminent. Adelaide United - 2 Central Coast - 1
perry cox
Roar Guru
95' - Kitto races into the area, manages a cross from the byline white line, and Adelaide get a corner from the Mariners clearance. That ball was out, by the way. Adelaide United - 2 Central Coast - 1
perry cox
Roar Guru
94' - And now it is Adelaide who are slowing the game right down. Adelaide United - 2 Central Coast - 1
92'
perry cox
Roar Guru
93' - That is devastating for Central Coast, they haven't deserved to lose this one. But here we are. Mariners on the attack from the re-start, but Millar loses the ball, and Adelaide get a throw in out of defence. Adelaide United - 2 Central Coast - 1
perry cox
Roar Guru
Goal 92' - George Blackwood, the super-sub, bullets a header home from three feet out, off a remarkable cross and run from Scott Galloway, and the Reds take the lead! Mariners players and fans' hearts must be broken. Adelaide United - 2 Central Coast - 1
perry cox
Roar Guru
91' - We are going to have 5 minutes of stoppage time. Lots of subs, couple injuries, fair enough. Adelaide with the ball in Central Coast territory. Adelaide United - 1 Central Coast - 1
perry cox
Roar Guru
89' - Galloway playing out of his skin, and he sends in a ripping ball. Goodwin leaps, but doesn't get close enough for contact. Goal kick Mariners. Adelaide United - 1 Central Coast - 1
perry cox
Roar Guru
88' - Strain shoots, shot is blocked. Corner Adelaide. Adelaide can't make it count though, and a header at the backpost bobbles away for a goal kick. Adelaide United - 1 Central Coast - 1
perry cox
Roar Guru
87' - Adelaide with the ball in defence, and they spread it wide. Mariners continue to press in attack though. Here comes Adelaide on the right, and they switch it to the middle to the left. Adelaide United - 1 Central Coast - 1
85'
perry cox
Roar Guru
86' - Galloway shoots from distance - SAVE BY KENNEDY, who leaps and tips it over the bar! What a goal that would have been. And Kennedy with the DOUBLE SAVE from the corner!!!!!! Adelaide United - 1 Central Coast - 1
perry cox
Roar Guru
Yellow Card 85' - O'Neill is carded for a block, and fair call too. The ball was gone, no reason for the block on Kitto, and O'Neill has given up possession and territory. Silly play. Here comes Adelaide. Adelaide United - 1 Central Coast - 1
perry cox
Roar Guru
84' - Mariners harass Adelaide off the ball in the middle, and Pain charges. Earns a corner. Mariners looking the real goods here people. Adelaide United - 1 Central Coast - 1
perry cox
Roar Guru
Yellow Card 83' - And Mike Mulvey shows his displeasure at the call, earns a card. Fair cop to the coach, it was a dreadful call. Adelaide United - 1 Central Coast - 1
perry cox
Roar Guru
83' - Somewhat comically, the Mariners attacking corner is all the way back to Kennedy. Meanwhile, Isaias is down and fouled by Simon. Not sure how that's a foul. Isaias ran into the back of Matt Simon. Silly call really. Adelaide United - 1 Central Coast - 1
perry cox
Roar Guru
Substitution 82' - And that is Murray's game down, as Jack Clisby comes on. Here comes the corner. Adelaide United - 1 Central Coast - 1