It was a do-or-die F3 Derby at McDonald Jones stadium, as Newcastle Jets played host to the red-hot Central Coast Mariners.
It was the Jets who started the brightest of the two teams, piling the pressure early onto an uncharacteristically sluggish Mariners side.
Jaushua Sotirio had an opportunity to open the scoring early, but an impressive Danny Vukovic save denied the winger from close range. Newcastle took full advantage from the resulting corner, with Beka Mikeltadze glancing a header across from the near post that allowed Sotirio to make amends for his earlier miss.
The goal energised the Mariners, who finally caught up to the pace of the game. Some brilliant work by ex-Newcastle player Samuel Silvera brought the game square.
Silvera received a long ball over the head of his former teammate Thomas Aquilina, before leaving his opponent in the dust, cutting his way in from the goal line. He finished emphatically into the side netting through a sea of bodies.
The second half got underway in similar fashion, with the Mariners enjoying the majority of the ball. It was Silvera that would put the Mariners ahead, linking up with Marco Tulio to leave Aquilina behind once again and finish past Michael Weier.
Brandon O’Neill was sent off for a contentious second yellow card, which would give the Jets an uphill battle for the remainder of the game.
Another former Jets player would play a role in the third goal for the away team, as James McGarry made his way past Aquilina before teeing up Tulio. Central Coast would retain possession of the all-important F3 Derby trophy with victory on the night.
Arthur Papas was left haunted by his former players in Silvera and McGarry, with the latter being involved in a swap deal that saw Aquilina head the other way. If this game was anything to go by, it seems as though the Mariners have benefited the most from the trade.
“I think James McGarry has been up there with one of the signings of the season, I think he’s an outstanding player,” said Mariners manager Nick Montgomery.
“He spent time here (Newcastle), didn’t really get much game time but he’s a great lad.”
On the game itself, Montgomery was full of praise for his squad after the slow start.
“If we concede a goal, it never worries me. I don’t think it phases the players because of the quality we’ve got in that front third, we know we’re going to create opportunities.”
One of those quality options in attack that he mentions is Silvera, who has turned into a more clinical and efficient player overall this year. With his brace in the game, he’s now on double figures for goal contributions this season.
“He spent last year at the Jets and didn’t get much game time, he was unwanted. I know that he just needed a little bit of belief and confidence,” said Montgomery.
“He’s a confidence player, and that’ll give him lots going into the finals.”
Central Coast find themselves in a battle for second spot on the ladder, with their finals campaign already secured. Three teams sit on 41 points, with Adelaide having a game in hand.
The Jets on the other hand are relying on results elsewhere to avoid missing out on a finals campaign for the 14th time in 15 years. Whilst being mathematically possible, the likelihood remains low as Macarthur would have to win big against Wellington Phoenix while scoring enough themselves in a win against Sydney FC to overturn the deficit in goal difference.
Feature Image Credit: Central Coast Mariners
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