Central Coast Mariners and the Newcastle Jets battled out an enthralling 1-1 draw in a tense F3 derby at Bluetongue Stadium in Gosford on Sunday evening.
The Mariners stay three points clear at the top of the table after the first third of the season, above Melbourne Victory with their opponents in this game Newcastle Jets a point further back in third place.
Mariners midfielder Tom Pondeljak, making his first start of the regular season, scored the first goal in superb fashion in the 62nd minute before Jets Olyroo striker Mark Bridge equalised in the 82nd minute - snatching a point for the Jets in front of a healthy crowd of 12,622 (which included a good number of travelling fans this time).
The first goal was the obvious gem in this game. Andrew Clark robbed a Jets midfielder, pushed the ball forward to Damian Mori who slipped it inside from the left to Tom Pondeljak. Having received this ball under pressure Pondeljak turned away from his marker and strode toward the Jets' goal. He steered a precise angled shot out of Ante Covic's reach, and it nestled into the net under the excited eyes of the Marinators. 1-0
The Jets had perhaps the better of the first half with a chance snatched from Joel Griffiths in the 15th minute by the athletic veteran Andrew Clark. He tracked Griffiths back as he received a through ball from Denni, and slid in at the last gasp chance to effect a clearance.
Saso Petrovski had demolished the side netting supports in the 38th minute - Mile Jedinak distributed out to Damian Mori, who crossed in to a lurking Petrovski. The goal poacher's powerful volley just went wide on the right and took out the support stay on its way through.
The Mariners played high up the field, seeking to relive pressure on their reshuffled defence, and moved the ball quickly through midfield. This didn't however allow them to dominate and the Jets were able to break whenever possession was turned over.
Unsung Jets Brasilian midfielder was causing some problems with his fast change of play. In the 14th minute he received the ball on the left and turned Nigel Boogaard, only the quick intervention of Mariners 'keeper Danny Vukovic saved early embarrasment for the home side. One minute later he set up the best chance for Griffiths.
In the 25th minute Tom Pondeljak tried to chip Jets 'keeper Ante Covic but the experienced custodian was alert to the ruse.
Mark Bridge also sought this form of variation, knocking the ball over the advancing Vukovic in the 37th minute but the Mariners defence was backing him up and it was cleared.
There was a share of controversy in this game as Joel Griffiths was yellow carded after only 4 minutes for an fist swing at the nether regions of Assistant Referee Alex Glasgow, a move one is usually red carded for, connection or not. Joel Griffiths later went down after contact with Danny Vukovic outside his area in the 56th minute (although the keeper appeared to have played the ball before that contact). Later Newcastle's substitute marquee Mario Jardel grasped the back of his head like a sniper had hit him, with attending Nigel Boogaard's head and arms nowhere near the Brasilian's noggin.
With the pace od the game tellling on Mori and Petrovski Coast's coach Lawrie McKinna bambled on replacing them both but both Adam Kwasnik amd young Matt Simon who carried the line from then on squandered some good chances and didn't force a save from Covic.
With it looking like the Mariners would move 6 points clear at the top of the table they then gave away a free kick 20m out on the right. Adam D'Apuzzo curled in a ball that bounced off Joel Griffiths, back off Mark Bridge, rebounded off Mile Jedinak and fell again for Bridge to this time pressure it through a sea of legs and into the net. 1-1
Whilst Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna was his often jovial self and seemed content with the result Jets coach Gary van Egmond was vocal after the game about the refereeing, despite insisting he wouldn't comment. "Basically Breezy's refereed it the best way he can and whatever decisions he's made is the right decision because he's the ref," van Egmond said. "Do we have a review board of those decisions? Is there someone coaching referees? I don't know if there is .... that would be terrific and we could all help each other", he stated. "I don't think it was a pre-meditated thing that there was going to be six yellow cards to one, it was just the circumstances that there was, and just the way things turned out."
"We got a memo this week about making sure we don't abuse referees and linesman ... all we want is some consistency". "I'm sure if Breezy has a look at it again he might be a little bit upset with the decision he made. It happens in a fleeting moment, but it's what you're paid for. Everyone is accountable on the field. Players are accountable, coaches are accountable, administrators are accountable and referees have got to be accountable."
McKinna did indicate that he played Mile Jedinak in a more defensive role as he would have 4 centre backs out next week, with injury, suspension, and Olyroo duty (Boogard). "Clarky did a good job on Joel .... Heff did his part in the final 30 minutes ..." He stated that "Mile will be in the centre with Clarky next week, as that's all we're left!"
The defensively weakened Mariners will be at home again next Sunday evening against improving Queansland Roar whilst Olyroo affected Newcastle will host Wellington Phoenix earlier that day. A test of their credentials for both home teams.