The Central Coast Mariners and Gold Coast United played out a 1-1 draw in front of over 10,000 fans at Bluetongue Stadium tonight.
The first half saw tempers flare and yellow cards handed out left, right and centre as players became increasingly frustrated at missed opportunities in the draining heat. The Mariners took full advantage of United’s shaky start with two shots on goal fired off in the ninth minute from defender Josh Rose and striker Matt Simon.
The first yellow card of the match went to Mariners midfielder Rostyn Griffiths after the referee ruled an illegal tackle on his challenge on Robson in the 35th minute. Gold Coast earned their first card of the match after Robson committed a professional foul to delay play.
Despite spending nearly the entirety of the half on the back foot, United almost capitalised on a Mariners loose ball in the box on the half hour mark, with United midfielder Ben Halloran scooping the ball just above the post, much to his frustration.
It took only two minutes after the break for the dynamics in the match to change when a sensational Gold Coast attack stunned the Mariners. It was the genius of Adama Traore and Dylan MacAllister which saw a beautiful cut back pass to Brown, who fired a cracker of a shot from the left into the back of the net in the 47th minute.
The match turned into a typical midfield battle as both sides struggled to manufacture chances after a physically draining first half. Both coaches went to their benches in an attempt to create opportunities. For the Mariners Bernie Ibini made an immediate impact winning a corner with his first touch.
The Mariners seemed to take a leaf out of Gold Coast’s book in the 87th minute, with a cross from midfielder Brad Porter to skipper Patrick Zwaanswijk for a beautiful header which beat the outstretched fingertips of United goalkeeper Glenn Moss.
Both sides were content to hold possession in the closing stages of play and settle for the draw, neither side creating any real chances to secure the three points.
Central Coast Mariners:
Matthew RYAN (GK), Joshua ROSE, Pedj BOJIC, Bradley PORTER, Patrick ZWAANSWIJK (C), Rostyn GRIFFITHS, Adriano PELLEGRINO, Oliver BOZANIC, Michael MCGLINCHEY, Matthew SIMON, Adam KWASNIK.
Subs: Bernie IBINI, Troy HEARFIELD, Michael BAIRD
Gold Coast United FC:
Glen MOSS (GK), Michael THWAITE (C), Paul BEEKMANS, ROBSON, Dylan MACALLISTER, ANte ROZIC, Ben HALLORAN, Adama TRAORE, Maceo RIGTERS, James BROWN, Peter JUNGSCHLAGER, Dylan MCGOWAN
Subs: Joel PORTER, Joshua BRILLANTE, Kristian REES
The Football Sack ‘Player of the Year’ points
3 Patrick Zwaanswijk
2 James Brown
1 Dylan MacAllister
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