Victory, Mariners share spoils in entertaining fixture

Melbourne Victory and Central Coast played out an entertaining 1-1 draw at Aurora Stadium in Tasmania, which hosted its second ever A-league contest.

Marcos Flores opened the account for Victory just before the break, while Daniel Mcbreen pegged one back for the visitors from the penalty spot.

Victory dominated the early goings of the game, however failed to find the back of the net, with the best chance falling to in-form midfielder Mark Milligan who unleashed a drive from distance which was wide of the post.

Down the other end, the Mariners had a golden opportunity to open the scoring through a promising 

counter-attack, the finishing product however by Kwasnik was straight into the arms of Mat Ryan.

Just after the half hour mark, Melbourne were rewarded a penalty after former Blades midfielder Nick Montgomery brought down Marcos Flores, the in-form Marco Rojas stepped up only to see his penalty come of the post.

The Kiwi international however made up for the miss before the break as he played a part in Flores’ opener. Rojas played through Adama Traore who cut it back to the Argentine who slotted it in with his left foot.

Matters only got worse for the Mariners as shortly after the goal, as boss Graham Arnold was sent to the stands.

Despite watching the second half from the stands, Arnold would have been happy with the way his team started after the break, keeping possession well and creating chances.

After the hour mark, Mile Sterjovski blasted a volley over the bar after Nathan Coe completely misjudged the corner, however the keeper all but made up for his mistake moments later with a wonderful reflex save with his leg to deny Michael McGlinchey from point blank range.

With less than fifteen minutes on the clock, Victory captain Adrian Leijer conceded a penalty after a clumsy challenge on McGlinchey.  A-League’s leading goal scorer Mcbreen stepped up and sent Coe the wrong way.

MV – Nathan COE, Diego FERREIRA, Adama TRAORE, Nick ANSELL (Leigh BROXHAM 46^th min), Billy CELESKI, Mark MILLIGAN, Spase DILEVSKI (Jonathan BRU 62^nd min), Marcos FLORES, Archie THOMPSON, Marco ROJAS (Andrew NABBOUT 82^nd min), Adrian LEIJER.

CCM – Mathew RYAN, Joshua ROSE, Pedj BOJIC, Zac ANDERSON, Patrick ZWAANSWIJK, John HUTCHINSON, Michael MCGLINCHEY, Nick MONTGOMERY (Oliver BOZANIC 43^rd min), Daniel MCBREEN, Mile STERJOVSKI (Brent GRIFFITHS 92^nd min), Adam KWASNIK (Bernie IBINI – ISEI 46^th min)