Tense draw as Mariners and St George City share the points
With Central Coast Mariners fighting for survival and St George City a top six spot, nothing was able to separate the two in what was a tense affair at Pluim Park on Sunday as both teams settled for a point in an intense 1-1 draw.
The rematch of the 2022 Football NSW League One Men’s Grand Final had no shortage of drama, seeing the visitors sent down a man for the final 20 minutes of play.
Central Coast were gifted a dream start to the contest, converting City’s sloppiness at the back into a goal advantage.
St George’s keeper Jack Kenny was lucky enough to defend Arthur De Lima’s attempt after turning the ball over to the striker, before Mariner Nicholas Duarte made no mistake on the follow-up to put the hosts up 1-0 inside the opening minute.
Tensions were ignited in just the third minute after Duarte copped a loose elbow from skipper Tarik Ercan, sending both sides into a frenzy of arguments.
Ercan was shown just a yellow for the foul, leaving Lucas Vilela and his side fuming.
Another turnover at the back from St George nearly doubled their deficit. It was only for the incredible glovework from Kenny to defend the rocketing attempt from Bailey Brandtman, securing the goods with both hands.
Parity was eventually restored in the 31st minute by the visitors as finally they executed their possessions.
Some quick touches around the area handed Jason Romero his fifth of the season with a clean finish between multiple defenders, sending Jack Warshawsky in the opposite direction.
As the half drew to a close, a moment of madness defensively from Central Coast nearly cost them dearly with a loose ball slipping in behind the Mariners. Romero teed up for his second, with Warshawsky standing tall to deny the Californian.
In the 45th minute, it was a matter of inches that denied Kosta Petratos the go-ahead goal for his side. The forward flicked his header goalward, narrowly shaving the upright as both sides remained deadlocked at the half.
Almost akin to their first half opening, Central Coast’s De Lima went oh so close to restoring their advantage 20 seconds into the second stanza.
A wicked cross from Donatien Niyonkuru found the oncoming youngster, with his flick unable to find the net.
The Mariners youngsters continued to press their momentum with some dazzling passages of play, though just short at the final hurdle.
St George City had their best chance of the second half in the 69th minute after a cheap turnover from the Coast falling to Romero once more. His curling finish not enough for the lead.
In the 71st minute, danger struck as Mirko Jurilj’s side was forced a man down with his skipper Ercan shown a straight red after committing a ‘last-man’ foul on Niyonkuru.
Both sides chanced their arms in the closing stages of the contest, especially through Mariner Bailey Brandtman who looked the more likely, forcing Kenny into a magnificent outstretched save in stoppage time.
Either side holding their defensive nerve, the match ending in a 1-1 draw.
For Lucas Vilela, today’s rivalry meeting was all about staying present and competing in the moment as his side prepares for their crucial clash with Sutherland Sharks away next Saturday afternoon.
“Every point counts at this stage in the competition. The boys were brave in competing but we just couldn’t capitalise on the chances created,” said Vilela.
“Today was more focused on the moment and to ride the wave because we knew it was going to be a tense match. We had the chance to change history and we nearly did but unfortunately the result didn’t come.”
“I believe the boys are ready for this battle against Sutherland as our performances and confidence continues to build and hopefully it’s going to be our day.”
Match Stats
Central Coast Mariners 1 (Duarte 1’)
St George City FA 1 (Romero 31’)
Sunday, 28th July 2024
Pluim Park, Lisarow
Referee: Hayden Langholz
Assistant Referees: Alessandro Llana & Amirhossein Hosnani
Fourth Official: Travis Griffith
Central Coast Mariners: 1. Jack Warshawksy (GK), 3. Cher Deng, 4. Parker Williams, 5. Harry Menham, 7. Arthur De Lima (17. Jai Rose 84’), 8. Lucas Scicluna, 9. Nicholas Duarte, 11. Donatien Niyonkuru, 12. Taye Hedley (10. Luka Smyth 59’, 27. Sasha Kuzevski (C) (2. Michael Paragalli 84’), 37. Bailey Brandtman
Unused Subs: 6. Jordan Small, 20. Jai Ajanovic, 22. Rocco Smith
Yellow Cards: 9. Nicholas Duarte 26’, 4. Parker Williams 85’
Red Cards:
St George City FA: 1. Jack Kenny (GK), 2. Cameron Fong, 3. Caio De Godoy (28. Noah Ovens, 78’), 5. Fumoto Kamada, 6. Tarik Ercan (C), 7. Nathan Roberts (19. Jesse Photi, 63’), 9. Dominic Cox, 10. Jason Romero, 11. Kosta Petratos, 14. Paolo Mitry (38. Kai Kamikuru 78’), 25. Brodie Clarkson
Unused Subs: 17. Joshua Keremelevski, 21. Ryan Reid, 32. Mitchy Jomaa
Yellow Cards: 6. Tarik Ercan 3’, 25. Brodie Clarkson 32’, 7. Nathan Roberts 52’, 10. Jason Romero 84’
Red Cards: 6. Tarik Ercan 71’
Player Ratings:
3: Nicholas Duarte (CCM)
2: Arthur De Lima (CCM)
1: Harry Menham (CCM)
By Mitchell Roese (@mitchroese on Instagram)
