Simon goal ends long wait for Mariners win
Central Coast finally picked up their first win of the A-League season, at the 13th attempt, with a 2-1 victory at home to Melbourne City.
A late winner from captain Matt Simon saw the Mariners end their ten-match losing streak.
Simon followed up to net from the rebound after keeper Eugene Galekovic saved his 89th-minute penalty, giving the club's fans something to celebrate at last at Central Coast Stadium.
The Mariners had won just one of their final 18 matches of last season, finishing bottom of the table. After drawing the first two games this time around they had failed to pick up a point until hosting Warren Joyce's side.
Simon missed with a good headed chance early on from Tommy Oar's superb cross, and the Mariners continued to threaten the visitors.
They went ahead on 32 minutes with when Connor Pain finished off a good more. Tom Hiariej's long ball found Simon for a flick on to Matthew Millar, with Pain firing home Millar's low cross from the right.
Given that they'd held a 2-0 lead at Wellington Phoenix in their last game before going down 3-2, the home side were aware they needed a better defensive display.
Mike Mulvey's team came under pressure in the second half but keeper Ben Kennedy made several crucial saves, the first to deny Rostyn Griffiths to his left.
The home side almost doubled their lead when Pain's shot dribbled onto the line before Galekovic was able to gather, and the keeper then did enough to put off substitute Jordan Murray when he was through one-on-one.
City levelled with 13 minutes left as Lachlan Wales headed home from a corner, being picked out at the near post by Florin Berenguer.
But the Mariners were rewarded for their attacking efforts when Simon was clumsily tripped in the penalty area by Griffiths and the veteran forward made amends for his spot-kick miss.
It still took a superb Kennedy tip-over from Berenger's header to preserve the victory - one that takes Central Coast to within two points of ninth-placed Brisbane.
Melbourne City are 11/2 to win the Grand Final.
City are 19/10 to win their next game against Perth Glory, who are 6/4 with the draw 9/4.
View all Soccer betting
Central Coast finally picked up their first win of the A-League season, at the 13th attempt, with a 2-1 victory at home to Melbourne City.
A late winner from captain Matt Simon saw the Mariners end their ten-match losing streak.
Simon followed up to net from the rebound after keeper Eugene Galekovic saved his 89th-minute penalty, giving the club's fans something to celebrate at last at Central Coast Stadium.
The Mariners had won just one of their final 18 matches of last season, finishing bottom of the table. After drawing the first two games this time around they had failed to pick up a point until hosting Warren Joyce's side.
Simon missed with a good headed chance early on from Tommy Oar's superb cross, and the Mariners continued to threaten the visitors.
They went ahead on 32 minutes with when Connor Pain finished off a good more. Tom Hiariej's long ball found Simon for a flick on to Matthew Millar, with Pain firing home Millar's low cross from the right.
Given that they'd held a 2-0 lead at Wellington Phoenix in their last game before going down 3-2, the home side were aware they needed a better defensive display.
Mike Mulvey's team came under pressure in the second half but keeper Ben Kennedy made several crucial saves, the first to deny Rostyn Griffiths to his left.
The home side almost doubled their lead when Pain's shot dribbled onto the line before Galekovic was able to gather, and the keeper then did enough to put off substitute Jordan Murray when he was through one-on-one.
City levelled with 13 minutes left as Lachlan Wales headed home from a corner, being picked out at the near post by Florin Berenguer.
But the Mariners were rewarded for their attacking efforts when Simon was clumsily tripped in the penalty area by Griffiths and the veteran forward made amends for his spot-kick miss.
It still took a superb Kennedy tip-over from Berenger's header to preserve the victory - one that takes Central Coast to within two points of ninth-placed Brisbane.
Melbourne City are 11/2 to win the Grand Final.
City are 19/10 to win their next game against Perth Glory, who are 6/4 with the draw 9/4.
View all Soccer betting
Source: bet365.com
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