Mariners brutal as they defeat Western Sydney

The Central Coast Mariners have spoiled the party in western Sydney, defeating the Wanderers in a brutal contest at Parramatta Stadium. 

Both sides failed to capitalise on a number of opportunities on goal but it was the Mariners who had the class and experience to make it count.

Jason Trifiro had a chance to put the Wanderers ahead inside six minutes as he beat the last line of defence to put himself within shooting range, but a weak shot handed goal keeper Justin Pasfield a routine save.

Mariners defender Zachary Anderson almost immediately made the Wanderers pay for their earlier miss with a head at goal, but the shot was just wide of the left post.

A yellow card was handed to Jerome Polenz in the 16th minute but it was the colour of the card in the 25th minute that had the home fans in disarray. Defender Trent Sainsbury was lucky to stay on the field as he took down a runaway Joseph Gibbs.

The football a true reflection of where the two teams sat on the ladder. Mark Bridge almost had his sixth goal of the season as Appiah Kubi played him through into the cusp of the six-yard box. But the Mariners defence held tight to block the shot.

A run down the right hand flank provided Central Coast captain Michael McGlinchey with a great opportunity to hit the lead, but his shot across the face narrowly missed the left post.

A touch of class from the Mariners experienced campaigners combined to give their side the lead just minutes out from half time. It was a one-two touch from Adam Kwasnik that put Daniel McBreen clear of the last line of defence. Wanderers ‘keeper Ante Covic could do little but get a finger to the ball as the Stiker finished off with a clinical left foot shot across goal.

Both sides came out in the second half with an attacking flare and it was the Wanderers who should have equalized in the 51st minute. A sliding Mariners ‘keeper got a hand to a flat cross from Jerome Polenz, which gifted Shinji Ono with a free chance on goal but his shot was saved off the line by a desperate Pedj Bojic.

A difficult mission turned into mission impossible as the Wanderers went a man down in the 54th minute. Trifiro received a second yellow for his aggressive tackling style.

Labinot Haliti came off the bench and had an immediate impact on the game. The substitute came close in the 69th minute to drawing level but his head sailed over the cross bar.

Much like Haliti, Mariners Bernie Ibini came on and almost doubled the away sides lead. Joshua Rose supplied the striker with a pinpoint cross into the six-yard box, but he struck it poorly as it went over the cross bar.

Mark Bridge was brought down in the box with just two minutes left in regulation time, but the referee let play go on.

Daniel McBreen scored late in stoppage time to hand his side a 2-0 victory away from home. 

Parramatta Stadium
Attendance: 16,387

WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS: Covic (GK), Cole, Topor-Stanley (c), Polenz, Mooy, Gibbs, Appiah Kubi, La Rocca, Bridge, Ono, Trifiro.
Subs: Tyson (GK), Haliti, Elrich, Caira.

CENTRAL COAST MARINERS: Ryan (GK), Mcbreen, Rose, Bojic, Anderson, Bozanic, McGlinchey (c), Sainsbury, Montgomery, Sterjovski, Kwasnik.
Subs: Pasfield (GK), Hutchinson, Ibini, Griffiths.