The Central Coast Mariners played out a 1-1 draw against their fierce coastal rivals the Newcastle Jets. The Mariners missed a host of chances to score while the Jets left Gosford happy to travel back to Newcastle armed with an away point.
The opening minutes began with the usual hustle bustle of a derby game and the 195cm tall Ljubo Milicevic stamped his authority on the game and on Mat Simon. The former Socceroo defender getting involved in a tussle with Simon in the box as they both fought for position during a Mariners corner.
The Central Coast Mariners missed chances galore in the first half none better than striker Dylan McAllister who missed form only a few yards out after Mat Thomson for the Jets had earlier stung the gloves of Mariners keeper Danny Vuckovic with a shot from outside the box. Mat Simon also had a couple of good heading opportunities but could not get his attempts on target.
A long cross by Mariners midfielder and Malta international John Hutchinson looped over everyone and hit the right post of Ben Kennedy. The Newcastle keeper just stood and watched. Ljubo Milicevic then had an exchange with young keeper and told him to do more than just look at crosses. This warning would not be heeded later in the game.
With less than five minutes to go in the first half last week's two goal hero for the Jets Jason Hoffman found himself in the box with an opportunity to shoot. Unfortunately his first touch wasn’t the best and the Jets striker missed badly as his left foot attempt flew wide of the goal.
Branko Culina changed things around for the Jets in the second half by bringing Nikolai Topor -Stanley on for Chris Triantis and also switched to a 3-5-2 formation allowing Ljubo Milicevic to play in midfield. The move was one of Branko’s party tricks he used when coaching Sydney FC.
The change of personnel and formation had an immediate impact. Just two minutes were played in the second half when a teasing cross by the Jets right back Tarek Elrich caused havoc in the Mariners box, the ball was not properly cleared. Nigel Boogard headed the ball towards Italian Marquee Fabio Vignaroli who helped the ball along to Jin Hyung Song, the Korean was all alone in the box and he placed his right foot shot into the corner of the net and the Jets were up 1-0.
The Mariners would have been cursing the missed chances they spurned in the first half.Then only a few moments later the Mariners hit back. Scottish import Michael McGlinchey crossed in a looping free kick into the box. Ben Kennedy was warned in the first half not to stare at crosses and he just did that as Nigel Boogard made up for his earlier mistake by heading the cross with the aid of his shoulder into the goal.
The rest of the game was marred by poor crossing and shooting from both sides. Pedj Bojic hit a free kick that does not need to be mentioned at all let alone described.
The Mariners had chances to score late in the second half but just couldn’t finish the Jets off. First Mat Simon had flicked in a low corner from John Hutchinson that Elrich cleared off the line after 75 minutes of play. A couple of minutes later Nick Mrdja found himself in the box with room to shoot but his right foot proved to be wooden and hollow as he scuffed the chance off target, much to frustration of the home fans.Both teams ran out of steam at the end and the game finished 1-1 the Mariners would have been upset they didn’t win at home while the Jets would have been happy with an away point.
Central Coast Match Ratings
Danny Vukovic, 6/10: Wasn’t as busy as Jets keeper Ben Kennedy and not at fault for the goal, was good at the cross.
Pedj Bojic 6/10 looks comfortable in midfield but should let others take free kicks.
Brad Porter 6/10 Played at right back looks more comfortable in an attacking position.
John Hutchinson 6/10 The Mainers Maltese international was his usual annoying presence in midfield
Dean Heffernan 6/10 had a solid game at left back
Dylan Macallister 5/10 had a poor game missed the chance of the game form only a few yards out in the first half
Nik Mrdja (71 sub) 5/10 missed a good chance to score in the second half
Michael McGlinchey 6/10 not as lively as the first game but still had a decent performance.
Nigel Boogaard 6/10 got the goal for the Mariners but his poorly cleared header set up the goal for the Jets opener.
Alex Wilkinson 6/10 A good skippers performance, held the Jets strikers at bay for most of the game
Matt Simon 7/10 The Mariners most dangerous player couldn’t finish the difficult chances he had to score. but never game up.
Adam Kwasnik 6/10 Still not at his best but still provided an attacking threat, poor crossing at times.
(21. Ahmad Elrich 83’).
Newcastle Jets Match ratings
Ben Kennedy 5/10 A Poor display, shaky on crosses but did produce a great save in the first half.
Angelo Costanzo 6/10 A solid defensive display
Adam D’Apuzzo, 6/10 Left back is not his favoured position but did make some decent runs.
Ljubo Milicevic, 7/10 Is the Jets leader at the back makes good runs forwards switched to midfield in second half and was comfortable there as well.
Jin-Hyung Song, 7/10 Good performance by Song looks stronger this season and it was a nice finish to score the Goal.
Matthew Thompson 6/10 Had a couple of shots but were straight at Vuckovic, has played better for the Jets.
Sasho Petrovski 6/10 Sasho had a quiet night by his standards
Sean Rooney 74 5/10 The sub did not have as big an influence as last week.
Tarek Elrich, 6/10 made some good runs from right back and his cross helped set up the Jets only goal.
Jason Hoffman 5/10 From Hero to Zero missed a great chance to score in the first half.
Fabio Vignaroli 7/10 The Jets playmaker is all class played some nice passes and was always in the play.
Chris Triantis5/10 Taken off at half time for tactical reasons.
Nikolai Topor-Stanley (46’) 6/10 Came on as a second half substitute and helped the Jets play better in the second half.
Match Details
Central Coast Mariners 20. Danny Vukovic (gk), 4. Pedj Bojic, 5. Brad Porter, 7. John Hutchinson, 8. Dean Heffernan, Dylan Macallister (9. Nik Mrdja 71’), 14. Michael McGlinchey, 16. Nigel Boogaard, 18. Alex Wilkinson (c), 19. Matt Simon, 23. Adam Kwasnik (21. Ahmad Elrich 83’).
Unused Subs 1. Andrew Redmayne (gk), 22. Nicky Travis.
Yellow Cards Kwasnik 41’, Hutchinson 45’, Boogaard 72’
Red Cards None
Goals Boogaard 50’
Newcastle Jets 1. Ben Kennedy (gk), 2. Angelo Costanzo, 3. Adam D’Apuzzo, 5. Ljubo Milicevic, 7. Jin-Hyung Song, 8. Matthew Thompson, 9. Sasho Petrovski (15. Sean Rooney 74’), 11. Tarek Elrich, 16. Jason Hoffman, 17. Fabio Vignaroli, 24. Chris Triantis (4. Nikolai Topor-Stanley 46’).
Unused Subs 20. Neil Young (gk), 19. Jason Naidovski.
Yellow Cards Vignaroli 21’, Topor-Stanley 56’, Song 85’
Red Cards None
Goals Song 47’
Referee Ben Williams
Crowd 9,573
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