Pedrinho stunner rescues valuable point for Rangers
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC and Central Coast Mariners FC shared the points in a tough 1-1 draw in hot and humid conditions at Popondetta Park on Saturday.
It was a fast start with the game’s first chance in the second minute. Pedrinho swung in the corner and found the head of Theph Theph to nod straight at Mariners keeper Adam Pavlesic.
The Rangers had the perfect chance to open the scoring from the spot. Olayinka Sunmola stepped up after the foul and Mariners keeper Pavlesic plunged to his right to deny the striker.
Central Coast Mariners’ first opportunity was from a set piece. Lucas Scicluna curled in a free-kick which went over the bar.
Next, Pedrinho tried his luck from the set piece. He drove in a free-kick but it didn’t test Pavlesic in goal.
Jai Rose had the best opening of the half. He slalomed through the Rangers defence before forcing Rangers keeper Dylan Niski into a strong save.
Heading towards the break, Oliveira Santos provided a sumptuous cross which fell to Sunmola but his strike fizzed wide of the left post.
Central Coast Mariners FC came out of the break on the front foot. Rose had another half chance to get on them ahead.
The Mariners did make the hosts pay and made it 1-0 in the 53rd minute through Muginga Mpota. He weaved past a few defenders then fired into the top corner.
Mpota almost turned provider right after his goal. He cushioned the pass to Jesse Mantell whose strike was tipped wide by Niski.
Oliveria Santos tried to provide a spark for the Rangers side. He lifted a pass right into the path of Joey Gibbs who couldn’t turn home.
The Rangers made it 1-1 in the 83rd minute through Pedrinho. The hosts worked it around the box then the Brazilian star unfurled a strike which whacked the bar and rolled in.
Buoyed by the equalizer, the Rangers surged forward. Will Rankin curved a ball to Gibbs whose header looped over the bar.
The game headed into eight minutes of stoppage time with both teams still looking to find the winner.
Rangers fizzed the ball around the area trying to prise an opening. It fell to Rankin who whistled a volley wide.
Pedrinho drove through midfield looking to bring the house down. He unfurled a strike which flew over the bar.
Neither side could find a winner and the points were shared in a tight encounter in tough conditions.
Post match, Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC coach Andrew Montgomery reflected on another positive performance:
“Again, I thought we were good.
“We moved the ball well and had control then missed a penalty alongside not taking our chances save us punished.
“Hats off to both teams in that heat but I think it was a good game between two sides wanting to play football and a fair result.” Said Montgomery.
For Central Coast Mariners FC coach Lucas Vilela, he reflected on a point earned for his side following on from their maiden win last week.
“It was a pretty even game between two strong teams.
“I knew it would be tight after their result last week but the boys gave everything.
“I am happy for the process lately and this is a fair result tonight” said Vilela.
Match Stats
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC 1 (Pedrinho ’82)
Central Coast Mariners FC 1 (Mopta ’53)
Saturday 15 March 2025
Popondetta Park
Referee: Reece Edwards
Assistant Referees: Joel Crawford and Hayden Kaye
Fourth Official: Rory MacFarlane
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC: 1. Dylan Niski, 3. Alexander Trajanoski, 4. Zac Sfiligoi, 5. Theph Theph (7. Garang Awac ’80), 8. Bailey Jacobs (99. Rocco Fragale ’68), 9. Joseph Gibbs, 10. Pedrinho, 14. Olayinka Sunmola (20. Thomas Lopez ’59), 15. Caleb Jackson-Brown, 21. William Rankin, 22. Jude Rankin (11. John Azar ’59)
Unused subs: 16. Stefan Giglio, 18. Lachlan Vasiliou
Yellow cards: J. Rankin ‘58
Red cards: nil
Central Coast Mariners FC: 1. Adam Pavlesic, 2. Luca Pecora, 3. Michael Paragulli, 4. Rocco Smith, 5. Ben Mewett, 7. Ayouk Mow (23. Laurence Taylor ’70), 8. Lucas Scicluna, 11, Jai Rose, 17. Jesse Mantell, 21. Muginga Mpota, 24. Kye Schumacher
Unused subs:15. Freddie Clunas, 18. Jayden Jensen, 20. Jai Ajanovic, 22. Shumba Mutokoy, 29. Xavier Dalpra
Yellow cards: Smith ’41 Mow ’70 Scicluna ‘88
Red cards:nil
Player Ratings:
3: Lucas Scicluna (CCM)
2: Pedrinho (MDTR)
1: Adam Pavlesic (CCM)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
