Expert
Western Sydney Wanderers FC
2
Match Complete
Central Coast Mariners
0
J. Sotirio | 77' | |||
74' | K. Rowles | |||
T. Elrich | 45' | |||
B. Hamill | 39' | |||
36' | A. Hoole | |||
O. Riera | 22' |
17 | Shots | 10 | ||
4 | On Target | 4 | ||
17 | Fouls | 10 | ||
4 | Corners | 8 | ||
1 | Offsides | 1 | ||
0 | Red Cards | 0 | ||
2 | Yellow Cards | 2 |
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The Western Sydney Wanderers have finally held on to a lead and defeated the Central Coast Mariners by two clear goals at Spotless Stadium.
It was far from a match to savour from two of the three teams most likely to take out the wooden spoon. In the end, the quality reflected that fact and the match never hit any great heights.
In saying that, Roly Bonevacia and Josh Sotirio were excellent for the home side and created much of the danger presented to the Mariners’ defence.
Despite Central Coast creating a few second-half chances, their first half was poor and enough for the home side to take the lead right on the cusp of half-time through Tarek Elrich.
It was a typical cross-shot, but it found the net and was perhaps something of a metaphor for the Mariners’ season.
Josh Sotirio capped of an excellent match in the second half, feeding of a lovely ball from Bonevacia in the 77th minute to double the lead and seal the match for the home side.
It is back to the drawing board for the Mariners after their ninth consecutive away defeat and Markus Babbel will enjoy the pressure relieving victory that his Wanderers have finally achieved.
Final score
Western Sydney Wanderers 2
Central Coast Mariners 0
The Western Sydney Wanderers and the Central Coast Mariners do battle in Round 18 A-League action. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:35pm (AEDT).
The Wanderers have yet another opportunity to give their supporters some faith with a chance to gain all three points against the Mariners at Spotless Stadium.
After a humiliating loss to the Jets last week, the Sydney-siders now sit ninth on the ladder after the Roar’s victory last night and will be in danger of earning the wooden spoon should they lose today.
The Mariners have been a much improved side over the last month, despite only having a lone victory or which to speak for the entire season.
This is just the kind of match that could see them finally snatch a second win; up against a Wanderers side low on confidence and performance.
The home side is buoyed by the returns of Alex Baumjohann and Patrick Zielger to what now looks quite a fit squad, although Josh Risdon is a significant loss and the Mariners will have to do without Jacob Melling as he sits on the pine thanks to a fifth yellow card of the season.
Prediction
The Mariners look the goods today and should be able to climb within a point of the Wanderers with a win.
If they don’t, they will almost surely run last this season and with that incentive, it wouldn’t surprise to see the men from Gosford triumph.
Western Sydney Wanderers 2 Central Coast Mariners 3
Catch all the action on The Roar live coverage from 5:35pm (AEDT).
Where: Spotless Stadium, Sydney
When: Saturday 9th February 2019, 5:35pm (AEDT)
TV: Fox Sports
Betting: Western Sydney Wanderers $1.57 Draw $4.50 Central Coast Mariners $5.00
Western Sydney Wanderers
5.Brendan Hamill, 8.Jordan O’doherty, 9.Oriol Riera, 10.Alex Baumjohann, 11.Bruce Kamau, 12.Mitchell Duke, 13.Tass Mourdoukoutas, 16.Jaushua Sotirio, 17.Keanu Baccus, 18.Marc Tokich, 20.Vedran Janjetovic (Gk), 21.Tarek Elrich, 24.Raul Llorente, 27.Kwame Yeboah, 28.Roly Bonevacia, 33.Tate Russell, 34.Patrick Ziegler, 40.Nicholas Suman (Gk)
Central Coast Mariners
1.Ben Kennedy (Gk), 2.Jonathan Aspropotamits, 3.Jack Clisby, 6.Tom Hiariej, 7.Andrew Hoole, 8.Michael Mcglinchey, 10.Tommy Oar, 11.Connor Pain, 12.Adam Pearce (Gk), 13.Aiden O’neill, 15.Kye Rowles, 18.Matt Millar, 19.Matt Simon (C), 23.Mario Shabow, 25.Jordan Murray, 28.Sam Graham, 29.Stephen Mallon, 68.Jem Karacan
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