Central Coast Mariners shrugged off a drama filled week to show a solid defence against Melbourne Victory and to grab two headed goals from a set-piece and a rehearsed move to trumph 2-0 at a damp Bluetongue Stadium in Gosford on Friday night in front of a solid crowd of 6,829.
Central Coast coach Graham Arnold said after the game that his team used the two-week suspension handed to Patricio Perez by the controversial FFA Match review Panel on Monday, for alleged simulation, as motivation. "It was a great performance, I'm very happy," he said. "It's been a tough week. This is a close group and Patricio is close to group, the boys dug deep for him tonight. The boys say that home form hasn't been great over the last couple of years," he said. "We need to keep getting points at home. We need to stand and say, this is 'our place'!"
After just 40 minutes of football in the A-League season Perez was forced to watch from the stands but would have been bouyed by the 'No Justice for Perez" and "Free Patricio Perez" signs made by fans and held up at the ground.
The win was built on a newly found depth in defence, led by Dutch import Patrick Zwaanswijk . With Victory playing some lovely passing football, in the first half particularly, they were tracked and then rebuffed time and time again by one or other of the Mariners defence and midfield. For their part the Coast found a way to get goals, with set-pieces, and the two headers were from obviously rehearsed moves.
Melbourne started strongly but neither team could make much leeway. Kevin Muscat tried his quick freekick tactic but was brought back by referee Chris Beath.
In the 13th minute Mate Dugandzic, who was held well all night, did get down the left and cut the ball inside to Carlos Hernandez but Victory's marquee couldn't get his shot on target.
The MRP could have been brought in again as Robbie Kruse twisted and turned his way into the area on the left and slammed his shot against the crossbar - but the referee saw his arm to ball movement just before and a free-kick only was given (note - is this not 'simulating' legal control of the ball? It's a can of worms).
IN the 20th minute the Mariners won a free kick some 35m out on the left. Michael McGlinchey sent his kick over the Melbourne defence, to the right where Rostyn Griffiths emerged from five Victory defenders to neatly head home past Malbourne 'keeper Michael Petkovic. 1-0
Melbourne were passing well and keeping possession but making no headway whatsover. In the 40th minute John Hutchinson had the ball 30m in the middle, and seeing nothing 'on' he hit a speculator that went just wide down the right.
Five minutes after the break Matt Simon should off his marker down the right flank and sent over a superb ball onto the head of Daniel McBreen who had made a run into the area and his header was too accurate and powerful for the Victory custodian. 2-0
His goal celebration with ball under his shirt was recognition of his partner Gabrielle being in the early throws of childbirth on the night.
In the 64th minute Grant Brebner, tired of trying to get the ball to his front men, made a run himself and hit a snap shot hat went just wide on the left. By this time 18 year old Mariners 'keeper Matt Ryan who was shaky early on before gaining in confidence through Victory's impotence, was having lttle to do.
Two minutes later Oliver Bozanic shot from outside the area but it went just wide, and at the otehr end an obviously frustrated Kevin Muscat shot wide!
Victory did try to lift with Hernandez curling an early ball in from the right onto the head of substitute striker, the Brasilian, Richardinho who headed over. It ended soon after.
The Mariners players took the game aggressively to the Melbourne team, not letting themselves be intimidated. This belief in themselves could be a breakthrough for the minnow club.
Melbourne coach Ernie Merrick admitted his team lacked the killer instinct in front of goal. "We played some terrific football," Merrick said. "We created plenty of chances and didn't pull the trigger. That's something we need to work on."