Mariners and Wolves play out thrilling draw
The points were shared at Pluim Park as the Central Coast Mariners and Wollongong Wolves played out an entertaining 2-2 draw on Saturday afternoon.
Central Coast Mariners had to fight back from conceding to get back in the contest. Bailey Brantman equalised for them in the 42nd minute before Jordan Segreto handed them the lead in the 67th but they were forced to share the points.
For Wollongong Wolves, it is a point which could have been all three. Takumi Ofuka swept home the opener in the 25th minute before they were pegged back. Jake Trew made it 2-2 with his back post finish and the visitors surged home but couldn’t find a winner.
The Wolves started the better between the two sides. They had an early free kick which was pushed away by Mariners keeper Jack Warshawsky.
Central Coast Mariners almost took the lead in the 6th minute through in-form striker Aydan Hammond. William Arnold slid the young gun a pass inside the box and the striker fizzed it wide of the mark.
The visitors continued to be on the front foot. Walter Scott and Alex Masciovecchio had efforts which prompted Warshawsky into action again.
Wolves found the goal their start desired in the 25th minute. They swung in a corner which was swept home well by Ofuka to make it 1-0 for the visitors.
Jake Trew tried to further the advantage for Wollongong Wolves. He had a pair of efforts as the half wound down.
Central Coast Mariners found an equaliser late in the first half. Maksim Kasalovic threaded through a pass from Bailey Brantman to fire home in the 42nd minute and it was game on.
The Wolves however finished the half strong. Masciovecchio curled one right at Warshawsky then Trew had another effort which he grasped well as both teams went to the break level.
The Wolves continued to find joy at set pieces. Another one was whipped into the mix and Banri Kanaizumi nodded his header over the crossbar.
The Mariners responded with a set piece of their own. It was brought down well by Hammond who teed up Miguel Di Pizio who shot straight.
The visitors were the busier side in the second half. Lachlan Scott was found in space by Ofuka and curled an effort right onto the crossbar.
The Central Coast Mariners completed the turnaround with a fine finish. It was great combination work in the box before Jordan Segreto thumped home to make it 2-1 in the 67th minute.
Wollongong Wolves were able to respond immediately though.
Trew popped up at the back post to poke the ball home to make it 2-2 in the 70th minute.
The visitors went close to taking the lead again. Mariners keeper Warshawsky had to be alert with a pair of saves to deny substitute Nav Darjani.
Both sides threw everything they could in the final few moments but neither side could find a winner and the referee’s whistle signalled a 2-2 draw.
Match Stats
Central Coast Mariners 2 (Brantman ‘42, Segreto ‘67)
Wollongong Wolves 2 (Ofuka ‘25, Trew ‘70)
Saturday 8 July 2023
Pluim Park, Lisarow
Referee: Craig Fisher
Assistant Referees: Simon Ashari & Gerrod Young
Fourth Official: Aaron Bloch
Central Coast Mariners: 3. Cameron Windust, 4. Dean Larson, 5. Nathan Paull, 7. Aydan Hammond, 9. Miguel Di Pizio (18. George Daniel ‘65), 11. Bailey Brantman (19. Aiden Milicevic ‘65), 15. Jordan Segreto, 16. William Arnold (12. Luka Smyth ‘45), 21. Maksim Kasalovic (26. Max Middleby ‘71), 24. Zac Zoricich, 30. Jack Warshawsky
Unused subs: 8. Andre Parkes, 20. Dylan Peraic-Cullen
Yellow cards: Arnold ‘38
Red cards: nil
Wollongong Wolves: 5. Banri Kanaizumi, 6. Senna Stevenson (88. Christopher McStay ‘72), 7. Marcus Beattie, 8. Samuel Riak, 9. Takumi Ofuka, 13. Tomas Butkovic, 14. Jake Trew, 21. Ethan Beaven, 23. Walter Scott, 24. Lachlan Scott, 25. Alex Masciovecchio (11. Nav Darjani ‘79)
Unused subs: 1. Nenad Vekic, 4. Dax Kelly, 17. Jake Lavalle, 99. Sebastian Hernandez
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Player Ratings:
3: Jordan Segreto (CCM)
2: Takumi Ofuka (WW)
1: Jack Warshawsky (CCM)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
