An outstanding second-half performance returned the Central Coast Mariners to winning ways, defeating Macarthur FC 4-1 at Glen Willow Stadium.
The past couple of weeks in the A-League Men’s competition have been tough for the Coasties, with the team struggling to find results and keep 11 players on the field.
The decisive victory comes at a perfect time for Nick Montgomery’s men, with the Mariners keeping their hopes up for a top two finish.
“Credit to the Mariners. They came out firing in the second half, and we didn’t deal with it well,” Bulls coach Mile Sterjovski said.
The Bulls started on top in Mudgee with an early goal from Danny De Silva. But the dominant first half of the game couldn’t translate into three points for the Bulls.
Despite a solid first half, Bulls centre-back Jonathan Aspropotamitis was substituted at the break in favour of Aleksandar Susnjar.
“That was just a bit of a tactical change,” Bulls coach Mile Sterjovski said.
“I think they turned us around a bit towards the end of the first half.”
The substitution had been in effect only two minutes when Cummings split Susnjar and Tomislav Uskok at close range to give the Mariners the lead for the first time.
The goal broke a two-game drought for the Scottish-born striker – his longest of the season – after Kurto denied him in the first half.
“He’s an out-and-out goalscorer, Jason,” Montgomery said.
“He had a bit of a loss of form, but those two goals will give him a kick now.”
When Marco Tulio belted a right-footed strike from the edge of the box and into the goal, the Mariners were up and about and never looked like surrendering their advantage.
“A little bit more composure in that final third in the last 10 minutes, and we probably could have had a couple more (goals),” Montgomery said.
The Bulls have lost every match away from Campbelltown Stadium since Christmas Eve, continuing a run of road losses.
Despite being only three points outside the top six, Macarthur is only four points ahead of 11th-placed Brisbane, who take on Melbourne City tomorrow.
“There’s still a chance, and we still believe in it. But, we need to be more consistent,’ Sterjovski said.
Feature Image Credit: Robbie Szafranek
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