Third time’s a draw – Mariners and Victory can’t be split

After both coming off wins, nothing could separate Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne Victory in a 1-1 draw at Central Coast Stadium on Wednesday evening.

The third meeting between the pair this season was nothing short of a heated rivalry. With the Melbourne derby postponed, it felt Central Coast may have taken Melbourne City’s place.

Mariners striker Jason Cummings found himself with an open goal after some backline confusion, though some desperate scramble from Victory denied a early Mariners lead.

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On the ensuing attack, Victory, first from Marco Rojas and then from a corner kick, saw their first chances of the game. It was Mark Birighitti to the rescue with two fine saves.

Central Coast’s Lewis Miller was fortunate not to be sent off, after referee Stephen Lucas took a second look at an incident and decided to not grab the second yellow.

Melbourne, after mounting the pressure were gifted a goal in the 38th minute. After a tight pass back from Mariners Dan Hall to his goalkeeper, leading Victory goalscorer Nicholas D’Agostino picked up the scraps to continue his goalscoring prowess, the only goal in a tight first half.

Nicholas D'Agostino finds the back of the net 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣 🔥

The @gomvfc forward capitalizes on a @ccmariners back pass to put the Victory ahead at the break.

Catch all the second half LIVE on @ParamountPlusAU 📺

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— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) March 9, 2022

Offsides were the main attraction entering the second half. Two possible scoring chances from Central Coast and one from Victory were rubbed off due to players being offside in a span of minutes.

To Jacob Farrell’s dislike, Marcos Rojas was in fact onside as Rojas blitzed past the Coast’s defence shortly after, undone though by Birighitti yet again.

Nothing much happened between either side until the 80th minute with prior attacking phases instantly demobilised and turned over to the other team.

The home team’s fans became quite verbal and frustrated with their side’s attacking efforts. The yellow and navy were nearly silenced when a perfect cross from Joshua Nisbet found the steaming head of Marcos Urena, who sprayed his effort wide of the post.

In the 84th minute, Nicolai Müller made it two goals in two games after cleaning up a loose ball and finding the back of the net with ease.

.@ccmariners are back in it! 💥

Nicolai Müller reacts quickest to level the score with @gomvfc.

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— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) March 9, 2022

It was a nervous ending to the game for both teams, with each dishing out their attack though weren’t able to break the deadlock. A comprehensive battle for both teams, each taking away a point for the efforts.

Feature Image Credit: Robbie Szafranek

Central Coast Mariners: 1 (Muller 84′)

Melbourne Victory: 1 (D’Agostino 38′)

Stadium: Central Coast Stadium

Referee: Stephen Lucas

Assistant Referees: Lance Greenshields & Kearney Robinson

Fourth Official: Sam Kelly

Central Coast Mariners: Mark BIRIGHITTI (GK), Lewis MILLER (James BAYLISS 78′), Joshua NISBET, Cy GODDARD (Nicolai MULLER 59′), Oliver BOZANIC (C), Jason CUMMINGS, Beni NKOLOLO, Marcos URENA, Kye ROWLES, Jacob FARRELL (Noah SMITH 78′), Daniel HALL

Unused Subs: , Maximilien BALARD, Damian TSEKENIS, Ruon TONGYIK, , Lawrence CARUSO (GK)

Melbourne Victory: Ivan KELAVA (GK), Jason GERIA, Jason DAVIDSON, Leigh BROXHAM, Joshua BRILLANTE (C), Gbenga FOLAMI (Chris IKONOMIDIS 68′), Brendan HAMILL, Nicholas D’AGOSTINO (Francesco MARGIOTTA 68′), Roderick MIRANDA, Jake BRIMMER (Nishan VELUPILLAY 75′), Marcos ROJAS (Robbie KRUSE 75′)

Unused Subs: Birkan KIRDAR, Stefan NIGRO, Matthew ACTON (GK)