Mariners and Victory share points

Despite the passion of Gaffa Arnold, this week’s A-league Match at Bluetongue stadium ended a nil nil draw with both teams leaving on equal terms.

Melbourne Victory arrived at Bluetongue after one of the most bizarre A-league fixtures Australian Football has ever seen, looking to finish this week with not only a full side but also full points.

Both sides running hot on momentum came out to continue their resurrection of the 2011 season and again Bernie Ibini looked to trouble the opposition’s defence with a variation in pace and fast footwork during the early stages of the first stanza as Joshua Rose and Oliver Bozanic looked sharp.

As the first half progressed so did the physicality of the Mariners who were letting their true colours shine through the likes of renowned battlers Matt Simon and Pedj Bojic who was rewarded the 22nd yellow card of his A-league career.

Young Kiwi Marco Rojas was linking up well with veterans Archie Thompson and Tom Pondeljak who were teaming up for a number of effective counter attacks down the Mariners right hand defence only to be shut down by the powerful Pedj Bojic who was under close watch by referee Stebre Delovski.

In the 22nd minute Matt Ryan had his first piece of real work cut out for him as he slid through to steal the ball from an attacking Melbourne and have the first proper touch between himself and his good mate Lawrence Thomas also aged 19 at the opposing end as both sides failed to find rhythm.

A scorching long distance stab from McGlinchey which found the crossbar saw the start to the surge of continuous attack from the Mariners where the ball looked to have crossed the goal line of the Melbourne Victory.

Vargas made up the final line of defence who put together a miraculous sliding clearance on the line to deny the first opportunity of the Coasties. The linesman came up with a crucial call to determine that McBreen’s follow up header had not crossed the line and although the home side had felt hard done by, replays suggested that the ball was straddling the Victory goal line at best, with full credit to the officials.

Bozanic continued to work as the creator as The Mariners dominated possession and made the final stages of the second half their own despite going into half time a stalemate.

The second half started end to end with both sides firing off shots, the most impressive strike came through Oliver Bozanic which forced an important save by the young Melbourne shot stopper.

An extremely clumsy challenge by Matt Kemp brought down Ibini as he made his way towards the Victory 18 yard box looking dangerous once again; Kemp received a yellow card for his troubles.

Shortly after, Josh Rose almost bent one into the back of the net from a tough angle which was arguably a skewed cross however it still managed to strike the Victory’s upright and almost dribble past Thomas in the 56th minute.

Substitutions were begging as the next 20 minutes were quiet for both sides and the formations were not looking to threaten at either end, Matt Simon was then summoned from the pitch to be replaced by the exciting Troy Hearfield and 5 minutes later the Victory replaced Celeski with youngster James Jeggo.

As Mustafa Amini stepped onto the pitch in the 77th minute the crowed were on their feet as a standing ovation for a deserved and departing Ibini combined with an overly warm welcome to the cult hero Amini.

Amini was involved immediately after a bursting run and precise through ball resulted in Bozanic receiving the ball and whipping onto the head of Daniel Mcbreen who couldn’t quite get enough on it to convert.

Rose remained a consistent performer throughout the match providing opportunities for his strikers down both flanks as end to end action continued into the dying stages.
Rose then curled in a challenging ball to find the boot of a charging Troy Hearfield which soared just inches above The Victory’s crossbar.

A stoppage time Bozanic corner saw pinpoint accuracy to land the ball on McBreen’s forehead although it sailed over the crossbar once again ending the match on level terms.

Central Coast Mariners: 1 Matthew Ryan (GK), 2 Daniel McBreen, 3 Joshua Rose, 4 Pedj Bojic, 6 Patrick Zwaanswijk, 8 Rostyn Griffiths, 9 Bernie Ibini (22 Mustafa Amini ’77), 11 Oliver Bozanic, 14 Michael McGlinchey, 18 Alex Wilkinson (C), 19 Matthew Simon ( 12 Troy Hearfield ’70).

Melbourne Victory: 3 Fabio, 6 Leigh Broxham, 7 Matthew Kemp, 10 Archie Thompson, 11 Marco Rojas (4 Petar Franjic ’87), 12 Rodrigo Vargas, 14 Billy Celeski (17 James Jeggo ’75), 15 Tomislav Pondeljak, 18 Daniel Allsop (9 Jean Carlos Solorzano ’82), 20 Lawrence Thomas (GK), 23 Adrian Leijer (C).

Attendance: 10 521

Yellow Cards:
4 Pedj Bojic, 7 Matthew Kemp, 8 Rostyn Griffiths

The Football Sack Player of the year points:
3. Oliver Bozanic
2. Rodrigo Vargas
1. Archie Thompson