Mariners thwarted maximum points at the death

Rockdale Ilinden and the Central Coast Mariners played out a dramatic 1-1 draw on Sunday afternoon at the Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre.

Originally set for Pluim Park, the match was moved due to wild weather conditions, but the rain didn’t dampen the intensity as both sides fought hard for the points.

The Mariners looked to have sealed the win when Jordan Small came off the bench and linked up with Harper Ryles, who netted the opener in the 80th minute.

However, Rockdale refused to give in. Deep into stoppage time, Ali Auglah found the equaliser in the 95th minute, rescuing a point for the hosts in a tense finish.

Rockdale created an opportunity in the 21st minute as Auglah sent a ball into the area, however he couldn’t find a red and black jersey to connect with.

The hosts came back searching again in the 22nd minute as Lachlan Constable played the ball forward to Brendan Cholakian.

The veteran let off a promising shot but Mariners custodian Joel Wade was able to pull off an impressive save to deny.

Jai Rose had a great opportunity in the 34th minute as he tried his luck from the edge of the 18-yard box but his effort flew high above the crossbar.

The visitors tried again in the 38th minute as Rose sent the ball to Harry Jablonski, but he couldn’t get off a promising shot.

Rockdale didn’t wait long to get into the action in the second stanza as they forced an impressive save from Wade from a McStay shot.

Oliver Puflett had a fantastic chance in the 59th minute, but his effort soared high.

Central Coast came close in the 60th minute from a Jablonski corner but Rockdale ‘keeper Steven Kreizis was able to send it out of contention.

Rockdale blazed forward in the 69th minute but the linesman raised the flag to call Puflett offside.

A free kick from a promising position in the 72nd minute gave the hosts a brilliant opportunity to break ahead.

McStay played a quality ball into the area and Sorge confidently headed it towards the target, but Wade was able to execute an impressive save to deny the hosts the opening goal.

Jordan Small made an immediate impact when he made his way onto the field, stealing the ball from Auglah in the 78th minute.

He played the ball forward to Ryles at the edge of the area, who fired home a goal to open the scoring in the 80th minute.

The hosts had a great chance to get back in the game from a corner in the 92nd minute as Blake Ricciuto managed to get his head to the ball, but couldn’t guide it to the target.

As the clock ticked to its final minutes, the hosts managed a miraculous goal to level the score moments before the final whistle.

The hunger of the hosts was apparent as Alec Urosevski sent a header to Isaac Danzo, who sent a shot towards the target that was well defended by Wade.

Auglah managed to pounce on the end of the rebound and fire the shot into the netting from close range to equalise at the death.

Match Stats

Central Coast Mariners FC 1 (Ryles 80’)

Rockdale Ilinden FC 1 (Auglah 95’)

Sunday 10 August 2025

Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre, Rockdale

Referee: Mikayla Ryan

Assistant Referees: Aaron Bloch and Travis Griffith

Fourth Official: Marco Saalmans

Central Coast Mariners FC: 3. Michael Paragalli, 11. Jai Rose (10. Ayouk Mow 84’), 12. Ty McKibbin (6. Jordan Small 77’), 13. Logan Sambrook (39. Harper Ryles 46’), 21. Muginga Mpota (19. Noah Peacock 46’), 22. Shumba Mutokoyi, 23. Laurence Taylor, 24. Kye Schumacher (14. Angus Reid 93’), 35. Max Miller, 38. Harrison Jablonski, 40. Joel Wade

Substitutes Not Used: 20. Jai Ajanovic

Yellow Cards: Paragali 72’, Jablonski 91’

Red Cards: Nil

Rockdale Ilinden FC: 2. Hunter Elliott, 6. Isaac Danzo, 9. Moudi Najjar, 10. Brendan Cholakian (18. Jerry Skotadis 71’), 11. Lachlan Constable (7. Alec Urosevski 77’), 14. Brayden Sorge, 22. Blake Ricciuto, 23. Oliver Puflett, 24. Ali Auglah, 28. Steven Kriezis, 88. Christopher McStay

Substitutes Not Used:, 15. Daniel-Ray Djurovic, 16. Michael Marcevski, 20. Leo Hammond, 99. Matthew Keremelevski

Yellow Cards: Puflett 51’, Elliot 90’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Joel Wade (CCM)

2 – Ali Auglah (RI)

1 – Harper Ryles (CCM)