Central Coast Mariners
1
96
Melbourne City FC
1
84' | D. Vidosic | |||
63' | I. L. Rocca | |||
51' | R. D. Laet | |||
34' | N. L. Brattan | |||
R. McCormack | 21' |
4 | Shots | 23 | ||
3 | On Target | 5 | ||
15 | Fouls | 11 | ||
4 | Corners | 13 | ||
0 | Offsides | 2 | ||
0 | Red Cards | 0 | ||
0 | Yellow Cards | 3 |
The Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne City meet in Round 2 action of the A-League at Central Coast Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:35pm (AEDT).
Both the Mariners and City have plenty with which to be pleased after last week’s performances to open the season. City took the points against their cross-town rivals in a controversial derby and Central Coast held on bravely against Brisbane, snatching a vital point on the road.
Central Coast were impressive despite the Roar having the better of the general flow of the game. Defensively, they looked resilient, yet will need to show much more in attack if they are to become a real threat this season.
Ross McCormack and Tommy Oar were impressive and both are much needed late acquisitions to the squad. Kalifa Cisse was a revelation at the back and saved the vistors on numerous occasions. Mike Mulvey looks to have built a nice attitude and determination early in his tenure and definitely has something upon which to build on the Central Coast.
City had the fortune of a controversial penalty in its win over the Victory yet did look the better team for lengthy periods of the game.
Bruno Fornaroli wasn’t quite in full flight yet the defence looked organised and firm with Harrison Delbridge and Bart Shenkeveld in control at the back. The debut of Ritchie De Laet was impressive, to say the least, and the new man looks like a real star for City down the right edge.
The depth of the City squad was in evidence again as Riley McGree made a goalscoring impact from the bench. Despite the controversy in the match, City confirmed its premiership credentials and will take some beating both at home and away.
Prediction
I can’t go past City in this one, even with the knowledge that Central Coast are at home and will bring a strong attitude and resilience to the contest. In fact the more you look at the match-up, the more a draw seems possible. However, I will stick with City based on the class up front that should be able to break down a resilient Mariners defence.
Central Coast Mariners 1 – Melbourne City 2.
Catch all the action on The Roar live coverage from 5:35pm (AEDT).
Where: Central Coast Stadium
When: Saturday 27th October 2018, 5.35pm (AEDST)
TV: Fox Sports
Betting: Central Coast Mariners $4.00, Draw $4.00, Melbourne City $1.83
Central Coast Mariners
1.Ben Kennedy (Gk), 3.Jack Clisby, 4.Jake Mcging, 5.Antony Golec, 6.Tom Hiariej, 8.Michael Mcglinchey, 10.Tommy Oar, 11.Connor Pain, 12.Adam Pearce (Gk), 13.Aiden O’Neill, 15.Kye Rowles, 16.Josh Macdonald, 18.Matt Millar, 19.Matt Simon, 20.Kalifa Cisse, 22.Jacob Melling, 25.Jordan Murray, 44.Ross McCormack
Melbourne City
1.Mark Birighitti (Gk), 2.Ritchie De Laet, 3.Scott Jamieson (C), 4.Harrison Delbridge, 5.Bart Schenkeveld, 7.Rostyn Griffiths, 8.Riley Mcgree, 10.Dario Vidosic, 15.Kearyn Baccus, 17.Anthony Caceres, 18.Eugene Galekovic (Gk), 19.Lachlan Wales, 23.Bruno Fornaroli, 25.Iacopo La Rocca, 26.Luke Brattan, 27.Florin Berenguer-Bohrer, 39.Anthony Lesiotis, 51.Idris Abdulahi
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Agree Stuart that our attack needs sharpening. We’re relying on Bruno who appears out of sorts. Anyway it was good to get something out this game when it was looking like a loss.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Do you agree with above?
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Melbourne City finally grabbed the goal they looked like scoring for much of the second half to snatch a point against the Mariners at Central Coast Stadium. For the second week running the Central Coast did a wonderful job in defence and when Ross McCormack found the net after a poor defensive error by City, it looked a dream start for the home side. In truth, it was a 'seize the moment' sort of chance and did not reflect the general flow of the match. City were dominant in possession yet there was something dysfunctional about their ball movement and the Mariners held on bravely to complete the half. If the first half was a possession domination, the second was even more so, as the Mariners began to sit back and soak rather than attempt to increase its lead. Eventually, it seemed likely that the dam would burst and when Dario Vidosic found the back of the net after a scramble in the box, the home side's hearts sank and City dreamed of a glorious comeback victory. It almost came, but in the end the spoils were shared and both clubs will walk away with some positives and many negatives from the contest. City will need to sharpen up in attack and the Mariners cannot spend an entire season with a defensive mindset like the one they showed tonight. Final Score Central Coast Mariners 1 Melbourne City 1
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Thanks Stuart. This games typifies what I reckon will be the A-league season. Every game will be hard fought, there’ll be few easy games. CCM were in City’s faces making it hard for us to break down. Having said that Bruno had opportunities and Cisse was wearing him like a jumper. But that was a penalty to Bruno but VAR got cold feet after last week. Anyway, a point is better than none. Now to Sydney!!!
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Thanks for being on board for the game. The match report will follow in ten minutes and be sure to stay around for the Sydney derby, live from the SCG. Central Coast Mariners 1 Melbourne City 1
Stuart Thomas
Expert
FULL-TIME Melbourne have snatched a point and the Mariners will rue an opportunistic strike from Dario Vidosic.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
95' City with a late chance as Vidosic crosses and Fornaroli misses from close range.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Bruno !!!!!!!!!! Misssssssss
Stuart Thomas
Expert
94' McCormack opens up at the other end after a rare move forward for the Mariners.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
94' De Laet wins an open header that he blazes over the bar. Half a chance there. Central Coast Mariners 1 Melbourne City 1
Stuart Thomas
Expert
93' City again come straight back and earn another corner. They are running out of chances.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
92' McGree takes and the ball is too deep. Goal kick.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Clisby is an old fashion player. Blood and guts :)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
92' McGree almost gets in behind Clisby and the referee adjudicates a foul. Free kick City.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Five minutes of added time.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
91' City break and the cross to Fornaroli is poor. He blazes away and a goal kick results.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90' Simon is caught offside and the Mariners will be under the pump again.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
89' Melling can't find Clisby on the left and City will push forward late, looking for the winner.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
88' Should be at least five minutes of play remaining and plenty of time to win it.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
88' Another corner for City and this could be it.