The Central Coast Mariners continue to defy odds amidst fears of relegation, mounting a miraculous comeback from 2-0 down heading into half time to seize a 3-2 win against the Wollongong Wolves with minutes to spare in a thrilling contest at Pluim Park on Sunday.
Wollongong looked set to run away with the victory after two early first half goals, before 17-year-old Arthur De Lima put the team on his back to outscore his opponents in an incredible feat of talent to snatch victory in round 28 of the NPL Men’s NSW competition.
After an intense opening few minutes, a stoppage in play gave Wollongong time to regroup, and regroup they did in securing the opener in the 10th minute.
Wollongong pressed hard on the right edge from the resumption of play, with Sebastian Hernandez crossing to find the incoming Jake Trew to draw first blood.
In the 24th minute the Wolves felt they had their second, believing the ball had crossed the line before being cleared by the Mariners.
The call of ‘no-goal’ stood, left the visitors fuming.
They would only have to wait five minutes for Central Coast to hand them a golden opportunity, with Hernandez converting a simple one-on-one chance against Warshawsky after a cheap turnover from the hosts.
Their own worst enemies for the majority of the first half, an inspirational dash in injury time from Menham restored life to the hosts, assisting a crucial goal.
The left back headed the ball twice before turning and outpacing Alex Masciovecchio on his way toward goal. His low cross found Arthur De Lima in the box to slot it home and draw the deficit to 2-1 at the half.
The youngsters’ day got even better, capitalising on their first chance out of the half and securing a brace with a neat finish past Janjetovic in the 57th minute via a clean pass from Brandtman.
Menham was again the action in the 67th minute with a crucial goal line clearance that looked certain to restore Wollongongs’ lead, before Janjetovic came up clutch with 20 minutes remaining, turning back the clock to deny not one but two point blank strikes to deny the go-ahead goal for the Mariners.
Despite his efforts to ignite fire back into his side, the goalkeeper couldn’t deny Mariners’ next chance.
An incredible pass over the top from Brandtman sent De Lima again on his way upfield, with the 17-year-old making no mistake of his finish to bag a hattrick, his eighth of the season, and Central Coast’s first lead of the contest.
It would prove the dagger as De Lima’s hattrick completed Central Coast’s monumental fightback to secure the crucial three points.
Speaking post-match, head coach Lucas Vilela was immensely proud of his sides’ fightback, attributing the victory to his men taking their ‘opportunities’ with both hands.
“We have a word in this club, and it’s opportunity. I tell the boys to go out and enjoy themselves and make the most of the opportunity and today they went out and did it,” said Vilela.
“Everyone is stepping up and leading with their voices which means we are reacting well. After conceding the second goal we started to control the game and play our style of football and created chances.”
“We still have two away games left. Today we may have been too comfortable from previous results which showed in how we started today’s match. However, if we can continue on from the second half today, then I am confident we will bring more points.”
“Why make it easy when you can make it hard?”, Vilela jokingly finalled.
Match Stats
Central Coast Mariners 3 (De Lima 45+1’, 57’, 79’)
Wollongong Wolves 3 (Trew 10’, Hernandez 29’)
Sunday, 11th August 2024
Pluim Park, Lisarow
Referee: Rebecca Makie
Assistant Referees: Anastasia Filacouridis & Benjamin Hutchison
Fourth Official: Matt Staples
Central Coast Mariners: 1. Jack Warshawsky (GK), 4. Parker Williams, 5. Harry Menham, 7. Arthur De Lima (12. Haine Eames 90+3), 8. Lucas Scicluna, 9. Nicholas Duarte, 10. Taye Hedley (6. Jordan Small 46’), 11. Donatien Niyonkuru (17. Jai Rose 56’), 22. Rocco Smith (13. Yani Nassis 87’), 27. Sasha Kuzevski (C), 37. Bailey Brandtman (3. Cher Deng 87’)
Unused Subs: 40. Dylan Peraic-Cullen (GK)
Yellow Cards: 37. Bailey Brandtman 38’, 8. Lucas Scicluna 44’, 9. Nicholas Duarte 74’
Red Cards:
Wollongong Wolves: 2. Harrison Buesnel, 3. Darcy Madden, 5. Banri Kanaizumi (C), 7. Takumi Ofuka, 8. Andre Takami, 9. Jake Trew (29. Ben Giason 77’), 10. Yagoub Mustafa, 11. Sebastian Hernandez, 20. Vedran Janjetovic (GK), 25. Alex Masciovecchio (27. Damon Gray, 61’), 88. Christopher Mcstay
Unused Subs: 12. Jett Mccue-Shore, 13. Oliver Yates, 15. Dax Kelly, 17. Mirza Muratovic,
Yellow Cards: 88. Christopher Mcstay 65’, 5. Banri Kanaizumi 71’
Red Cards:
Player Ratings:
3: Harry Menham (CCM)
2: Arthur De Lima (CCM)
1: Parker Williams (CCM)
By Mitchell Roese (@mitchroese on Instagram)
