Central Coast Mariners
0
PREVIEW
Melbourne Victory
0
Match result:
The Central Coast Mariners surrendered a 2-0 lead to Melbourne Victory on Saturday to ultimately conceded a demoralising defeat.
Final score
Central Coast Mariners 2
Melbourne Victory 3
Match preview:
The still bottom-of-the-table Central Coast Mariners take on the top two opponents Melbourne Victory, live from Gosford Stadium, in the Saturday evening Round 17 clash. Join The Roar from 5:35pm (AEDT) for live scores and blog of the game.
The problem for the Mariners is that, of late, aside from their solitary win against Melbourne City, the results are not reflective of the performances on the park.
A disappointing draw to Brisbane, a completely undeserved loss to Newcastle, and a somewhat heartbreaking loss away to Adelaide, having taken the lead, has seen the Central Coast team take just the four competition points from four good games.
And now they come up against a team that they haven’t beaten in almost six years.
No doubt, Mike Mulvey likely didn’t need the added wrinkle of Matt Millar confirming this week that he has signed for the Jets for next season, and subsequently found himself banished from Mariners training.
When you are running bottom, player unrest and an opponent that is a bit of an albatross around your neck is not an ideal combination.
Still, the Mariners will be hoping that the good form shown will be followed by goals at the right end, and solid defence at the other.
Melbourne Victory, meanwhile, are flying high off a Big Blue win, a Toivonen set-piece pearler, and sitting pretty in the top two with ten rounds to go.
Melbourne, having navigated tricky opponents in Newcastle, Wellington, and Sydney, will be ecstatic in being in the top two, and still without their marquee man, who will come back from injury.
Melbourne will also be eyeing off top spot, and a win here will place the pressure firmly back on the men in purple from Perth.
The key for these two sides will be the inverse comparison of their defensive and attacking stats.
Where Melbourne have scored 36 goals this season, Central Coast have conceded 37, while Melbourne have conceded just the 19 goals and Central Coast have only scored 16.
Prediction
Melbourne are playing good football, and the incentive to chase top spot should out-weigh the Mariners’ desire to put in a good showing, and try to avoid the wooden spoon.
While the ladder positions of each team are not determinative, they certainly are indicative, and this tipster is sticking with Melbourne.
Melbourne 3-1.
Join The Roar from 5:35pm (AEDT) for live scores and blog, and don’t forget to leave a comment in the comment section below.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
— COMMENT DELETED —
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Really? No way. Not again.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Yep, their second half fade outs this season are entirely self inflicted. Poor Mulvey. At least he’s not doing as badly as Babbel’s rabble.
Redondo
Roar Rookie
The Mariners would be close to the top 6 if games stopped at half time
perry cox
Roar Guru
Full time And that is the end, as the small crowd boo the result. Mariners were on top in the first half, a Hoole double of world class free kick strikes giving the home team the lead at the break, but Melbourne flexed muscle, and flexed hard int he second half, with goals to Troisi, Barbarouses, and a Kennedy own goal, giving the second placed team the three points. Relief for Melbourne, more heartbreak for the Mariners, but the advent of five goals and thrilling contest has been delivered here in Gosford. See everyone in 15 minutes for the next of tonight's games. Central Coast - 2 Melbourne - 3
perry cox
Roar Guru
95'- Barbarouses is down, and Karacan went in hard ... will Mariners finish with 11 on the park? Yes, Barbarouses is up, Mariners throw it in. No foul. Central Coast - 2 Melbourne - 3
perry cox
Roar Guru
94'- We are into the final minute of a fantastic game, and Kennedy will send a goal kick as long as he possibly can. Central Coast - 2 Melbourne - 3
perry cox
Roar Guru
93'- Even the giant Masterfoods sauce bottles at the south look deflated. Central Coast - 2 Melbourne - 3
perry cox
Roar Guru
93'- Melbourne still on the attack, even if they are doing so in slow motion. Antonis will take a throw in, and he's about to be carded for time wasting I reckon. Central Coast - 2 Melbourne - 3
perry cox
Roar Guru
92'- Rowles, I think it is, is all over Athiu, and that's a Melbourne free kick in the Mariners' half. Melbourne slow the game down. Central Coast - 2 Melbourne - 3
perry cox
Roar Guru
91'- The cross is sent in by the Mariners, but Melbourne clear the danger. Here's another cross, this time Thomas punches, and punches well. Finally, Oar is on the ball, but Melbourne earn a goal kick, and Thomas takes his sweet time. Central Coast - 2 Melbourne - 3
perry cox
Roar Guru
91'- We will have 4 minutes of stoppage time. Central Coast - 2 Melbourne - 3
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Poor defending by Aspro. Really poor.
perry cox
Roar Guru
90'- It really has been the classic game of two halves, two completely different stories. You still felt Mariners had their chances in this second half though. Melbourne back on the attack, their smattering of fans going off! Central Coast - 2 Melbourne - 3
88'
87'
perry cox
Roar Guru
Substitution 89'- As a Jets fan, I can tell you, you've gotta feel for the Mariners. Meanwhile, Mulvey brings on McGlinchey for Melling. Central Coast - 2 Melbourne - 3
perry cox
Roar Guru
GOAL 88'- And that should do it for the away side. Barbarouses is into the area, he jinks, he dinks, he cuts in, and shoots low and across Kennedy. It sneaks inside the far post, and again, Mariners' hearts are shattered. Central Coast - 2 Melbourne - 3
perry cox
Roar Guru
Yellow Card 87'- You just cannot question Simon's heart up front. his heart must be the size of Pharlap. Now, the Mariners debutant Karacan earns a yellow, for slowing the throw in. That's a curious one. Central Coast - 2 Melbourne - 2
perry cox
Roar Guru
86'- Troisi goes all Andrew Hoole, but his attempt is off the wall, and over for a corner. Central Coast - 2 Melbourne - 2