Not quite stale stalemate in F3 Derby number two

The Newcastle Jets and Central Coast Mariners played out 1-1 draw at Hunter Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Chances were few and far between in a lack luster game which both teams were desperate to win following slow starts to the season.

Newcastle gaffer Phil Stubbins kept faith with the squad that earned a point against the Western Sydney Wanderers the week before with his only alteration bringing in fit again Scott Neville at right back.

Marniers coach Glenn Moss made changes to the side that were defeated 2-0 by Adelaide last Sunday with Matt Sim, Nick Montgomery and Storm Roux making way for Richard Vernes, Glen Trifiro and Jacob Poscoliero.

Before the match the crowd and players paused to observe a minutes silence to remember cricketer Phillip Hughes, as was done throughout the A-League this weekend.

After a sluggish start to the match the first chance fell to the Jets with a Jeronimo cross just eluding Billy Celeski.

The Marniers had their own chance just minutes later with midfielder Vernes firing just wide of Ben Kennedy's goal.

The Mariners continued to gain the upper hand with centre-back Rose heading over shortly after.

Montano turned provider for the Jets after a surging run down the right flank but Jeronimo failed to meet the low slung ball.

The Jets opened the scoring shortly after the break with a ricochet off a David Carney falling to Monotano who made no mistake putting the ball past Liam Reddy.

The Mariners equalised just minutes later with Vernes getting the better of Adrian Madaschi and turning in Michael Neill's cross.

Jets substitute Andrew Hoole looked lively after coming off the bench Montano failed to convert his cross from the byline.

Marcos Flores was presented with a glorious chance for the Jets with twenty minutes remaining but could only manage to strike the crossbar, before Kennedy stopped a point blank shot from Sim to deny the Mariners with minutes remaining.

The draw does little to relieve the pressure on both managers who have been criticised for their slow start to the season. The Newcastle Jets remain winless this season and are on the bottom of the ladder, while the Mariners have not tasted victory since claiming the first F3 derby in the first round.

Both teams will look to reiginite their stalled campaigns next weekend with the Mariners heading to Melbourne on Friday to face the Victory while the Jets welcome the Wellington Phoenix to Hunter Stadium on the Saturday.