Drizzling delight for Spirit in win over Mariners

NWS Spirit FC battled to a 3-1 win over Central Coast Mariners at a rain-soaked Pluim Park on Sunday afternoon. 

The away side went two goals up midway through the first half courtesy of Marco Arambasic and Michael Konestabo.

Michael Paragalli gave the Mariners some hope, with his goal sending the team into the sheds only one goal behind.

In a more competitive second half, Pargalli’s late red card gave Spirit the ascendancy, and they put the result beyond doubt through Yu Okubo in stoppage time.

It was a shot-shy first 10 minutes of the game, however, Spirit were showing positive signs, finding space down the flanks.

Spirit made their next chance count and took the lead in the 15th minute. Harry Keys fired a ball into the box from the right and found Arambasic centrally, who steered an accurate first-time finish past Adam Pavlesic.

The hosts looked to respond within two minutes when Ayouk Mow took on a long-range dipping effort that Christopher Marques needed to bat away.

Central Coast carried on this momentum and came even closer to scoring in the 19th minute. Following a neat passage of play, Mow slid the ball to his left for Jai Rose, whose effort was cleared from the line by retreating Spirit defender Bradie Smith.

The visitors responded to this passage of play by getting off a shot four minutes later through Zayne Ahluwalia’s strike, but Pavlesic held on securely.

And moments later, the side had their second goal. Keys played a superbly weighted ball in behind the left channel, where Konestabo kept his composure to roll a clever finish under Pavlesic.

In the 42nd minute, Spirit threatened again, this time through a set piece. Frankie Ljucovic’s right-sided corner dropped onto Kyah Williams’ head, provoking Pavlesic to palm the ball over the bar.

Despite Spirit’s strong position in the game in the pouring rain, the Mariners dragged themselves back into the contest. Luca Pecora whipped a dangerous left-sided free-kick into the box for Paragalli to direct a diving header in off the right post.

Central Coast’s late goal set up the prospect of an exciting second half at Pluim Park.

The second half had a timider start, with the teams battling for consistent control of possession.

Central Coast demonstrated greater control of the game, limiting their opponents’ opportunities as they probed for an equaliser.

Yet, Spirit created the first significant chance of the half just before the hour mark. The lively Keys played a simple pass from the right to Okubo, whose first-time effort drew a sharp save from Pavlesic.

As the game wore on, it gained a tense tone with the next goal likely to prove decisive in the direction of the result.

It took a turn for the worse for the hosts as they were reduced to 10 players with six minutes of regular time to play. Okubo managed to spin in behind down the left, where Paragalli dragged him down, seeing referee Ivica Covic send off the Mariners defender.

Deep into stoppage time, Spirit ensured all three points as they grabbed their third goal. Defender Smith danced down the left touchline before cutting it back to Okubo; the attacker picking out the goal’s right side.

From the restart, Central Coast won a free-kick that Pecora took responsibility for, striking the left post with a bouncing effort.

Pecora’s late set piece was the game’s last action as NWS Spirit earned victory over the Mariners.

Match Stats

Central Coast Mariners FC 1 (Michael Paragalli 44’)

NWS Spirit FC 3 (Marco Arambasic 15’, Michael Konestabo 23’, Yu Okubo 90+3’)

Sunday 11 May 2025

Pluim Park, Lisarow

Referee: Ivica Covic

Assistant Referees: Daniel Cornofsky and Benjamin Hutchison 

Fourth Official: Simon Ashari

Central Coast Mariners FC: 1. Adam Pavlesic, 2. Luca Pecora, 3. Michael Paragalli, 4. Rocco Smith, 5. Ben Mewett (24. Kye Schumacher 46’), 6. Jordan Small (15. Freddie Clunas 61’), 7. Ayouk Mow, 11. Jai Rose (17. Jesse Mantell 46’), 13. Logan Sambrook (9. Ahmad Elhelou 70’), 23. Laurence Taylor, 39. Harper Ryles (22. Shumba Mutokoyi 87’)

Substitutes Not Used: 20. Jai Ajanovic

Yellow Cards: Rocco Smith 87’

Red Cards: Michael Paragalli 84’

NWS Spirit FC: 1. Christopher Marques, 3. Kyah Williams, 4. Bradie Smith, 7. Frankie Ljucovic (23. Lincoln Gilmour 90+3’), 8. Grant Cornwell, 9. Yu Okubo (20. Austin Oates 90+3’), 10. Michael Konestabo (22. Takumi Ofuka 89’), 13. Simon Nicholas, 14. Marco Arambasic ( 5. Jordan Perez 66’), 19. Zayne Ahluwalia, 21. Harry Keys (17. Jacob Chidiac 66’)

Substitutes Not Used: 15. Christophe Chen

Yellow Cards: Michael Konestabo 11’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings: 

3 – Bradie Smith (NWS)

2 – Michael Konestabo (NWS)

1 – Luca Pecora (CCM)

Report by Tim Gibson