Hat-trick Hedley not enough as St George resolve to share the points.

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Two penalties inside the final quarter have gifted St George FC a lifeline to share the points with Central Coast Mariners in a thrilling 3-3 draw at Pluim Park in a rescheduled round 14 clash on Wednesday night.

Behind from the fourth minute, a hat-trick to Taye Hedley erased their slow start and looked to have secured the three points for the Mariners, though back-to-back penalties from the spot to St George restored the deadlock, setting up a fiery final stage.

It took St George FC just four minutes in to bag the opening goal. Conor Quilliganx served the ball on a platter to Harry Jones inside the box, where Jones controlled and struck the ball on the half volley into the top right corner.

Central Coast almost equalised in the 11th minute, though Bailey Brandtman’s strike went aerial after Luka Smyth forced a turnover from Jayden Seeto inside the box.

The Mariners had to wait another 20 minutes before their next scoring opportunity arose, and they capitalised with a goal from some good fortune.

The ball was deflected into the path of Luka Smyth whose attempt struck the right upright, where the loose ball fell to Taye Hedley who had no issues finding the net.

Undeterred, St George maintained their attacking ascendency, forcing Coast’s keeper Dylan Peraic-Cullen into a treble of saves to keep the scores locked.

Smyth looked to have stolen the advantage right on half time with a second chance effort crossing the line, though a foul had been called, diffusing the play-on, and holding the 1-1 deadlocked at the half.

Contrast to their start in first stanza, Lucas Vilela’s side were quick to reverse the script and score fast, six minutes out of the half.

Brandtrman won the ball back from Troy Donaskos and found Hedley on the left edge, who zigged-zagged his way through the defence and finished for the lead.

The duo teamed up once more in the 58th minute, with Brandtman delivering the final pass and Hedley again coming up trumps for a hattrick.

St George finally caught a break in the 73rd minute through skipper Troy Danoskos. He converted from the spot after Anthony Morabito was dragged down in the box by Andre Parkes, with plenty of football still to play.

To Parkes’ misfortune, the defender committed another costly foul in the 84th minute for a hand ball in the box, where Jesse Spang too converted from the spot, and the scores were again level at three a piece with time ticking away.

Central Coast were given one final chance to snatch the points back from the visitors with a corner. As the ball landed in the box, cries for hand ball echoed through the stadium.

Referee Logan Jones waved the cries of the angry yellow and navy outfit. Kuzevski, in his first game back from injury, had a few choice words for Jones, enough for the forward to be shown a straight red, ending the game on a sour note at 3-3.

Post-match, Lucas Vilela was continuing to trust the process of developing his young side.

“The boys are sticking to the game plan which shows the boys are understanding our ideas and how the opposition is playing and can then apply this to match the top teams,” said Vilela.

“We’re working on being vocal as a team, but also individually because they need this to continue growing as a player.”

“The opposition come here and try to intimidate us so we can’t be passive, but of course remain fair.”

Match Stats

Central Coast Mariners 3 (Hedley 31’, 51’, 58’)

St George FC 3 (Jones 4’, Danaskos 73’, Spang 84’)

Wednesday 29th May 2024

Pluim Park, Lisarow

Referee: Logan Jones

Assistant Referees: Rowan Fisher & Gerrod Young

Fourth Official: Jasper White

Central Coast Mariners: 2. Michael Paragalli (3. Cher Deng 90+5’), 4. Andre Parkes, 5. Harry Menham, 6. Jordan Small (35. Haine Eames 66’), 8. Lucas Scicluna (C), 10. Luka Smyth (27. Sasha Kuzevski 75’), 11. Donatien Niyonkuru (18. Adil Toska 66’), 12. Taye Hedley (9. Nicholas Duarte 75’), 34. Parker Williams, 37. Bailey Brandtman, 40. Dylan Peraic-Cullen (GK)

Unused Subs: 20. Jai Ajanovic

Yellow Cards: Michael Paragalli 58’, Nicholas Duarte 85’, Bailey Brandtman 85’

Red Cards: Sasha Kuzevski 90’

St George FC: 1. Andrew Di Blaso (GK), 3. Troy Danaskos (C), 5. Nicholas Kalogerou, 6. Patrick O’Shea, 8. Conor Quilliganx, 10. Harry Jones (7. Jesse Spang 73’), 11. Anthony Morabito, 18. Mark Rodic, 23. Evangelo Souris (14. Alexander Malfara 68’), 27. Jayden Seeto

Unused Subs: 2. Caio De Godoy, 17. Thomas Brown, 20. Daniel Axford, 22. Aedan O’Shea, 30. Justin Poon

Yellow Cards: Mark Rodic 87’

Red Cards:

Player Ratings:

3: Taye Hedley (CCM)

2: Troy Danaskos (STG)

1: Dylan Peraic-Cullen (CCM)

By Mitchell Roese (@mitchroese on Instagram)