A-League, round 21: Noah Botic scores as Western United beat the Mariners, Tilio scores for City

Noah Botic’s rich vein of form continued as Western United jumped to second on the A-League ladder with a 3-1 away win over Central Coast Mariners on Friday night.

Western United celebrates after a Noah Botic goal. Picture: Getty Images

It’s crunch time in the A-Leagues as teams fight for their finals future.

Recap the weekend’s action here.

BOTIC FIRES UNITED TO SECOND

Noah Botic’s rich vein of form continued as Western United jumped to second on the A-League ladder with a 3-1 away win over Central Coast Mariners on Friday night.

Botic maintained his push for Socceroos selection for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Indonesia and China with his seventh goal in his past seven matches and his 10th overall this season.

The 52-minute goal, which came after an impressive build-up that included contributions from Angus Thurgate, Hiroshi Ibusuki, Matthew Grimaldi and substitute Riku Danzaki, put United ahead 1-0 at Gosford’s Industree Group Stadium.

The Mariners fought back to equalise in the 76th minute through an own goal from United defender Tomoki Imai, who turned a cross from Central Coast’s Lucas Mauragis into his own net.

Noah Botic scored his seventh goal in his past seven matches. Picture: Getty Images

However, United’s response was swift, with Luke Vickery restoring the visitors’ lead five minutes later after getting on the end of a low cross from fellow substitute Michael Ruhs.

Provider was to turn scorer in stoppage-time, with Ruhs finding the back of the net against his former club to seal United’s ninth win of the season.

The victory moved the John Aloisi-coached side to 32 points and second place, at least temporarily, behind runaway leaders Auckland FC, who host Adelaide United at Go Media Stadium on Saturday.

Adelaide can recapture second spot with a win over Auckland, but regardless, Aloisi’s men continue to prove that they are championship contenders.

The only low point of the night for the winners was an abdomen injury suffered by exciting youngster Abel Walatee, who was forced off in the first-half.

However, it was otherwise a night to remember for United against the Mariners, whose disappointing title defence continued.

Western United’s Michael Ruhs holds possession during the game against the Mariners. Picture: Getty Images

Aloisi was delighted with his team’s win, which was United’s maiden victory in Gosford.

“For our club it’s great because it’s our first win here,” Aloisi told Paramount Plus.

“It’s a difficult place to come ,,, and when we went 1-0 up, they threw everything at us.

“We had to show a different side. We’ve been controlling games most weeks, we’ve been good with the ball and out of possession, but in that 30-minute period we had to really dig deep, but we deserved the win.

“We were very good in the first-half, very good in the beginning of the second-half … another three goals away from home, so it’s pretty good.

“At the start of the season, we felt we were playing well but we were lacking goals, but now you can see that the understanding is there.

“We look like we’re going to score goals every week and that’s pleasing.”.

TILIO THE DIFFERENCE FOR CITY

Marco Tilio continued his impressive return from injury with a second goal in two matches to clinch Melbourne City a 1-0 A-League win over Wellington Phoenix on Friday.

The Socceroos winger, who was sidelined for several weeks with a hamstring injury, scored the game’s only goal in the 51st minute at Sky Stadium in Wellington after being fed by Austrian midfielder Andreas Kuen.

Marco Tilio scored the winner for Melbourne City. Picture: Getty Images

Tilio, who is on loan to City from Scottish giant Celtic, also scored in City’s 2-2 derby draw with Melbourne Victory last Saturday at AAMI Park as he makes a late push for selection in Australia’s squad for this month’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Indonesia and China.

City’s win over the struggling Phoenix moved them to 31 points and further entrenched them in the top six.

Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano felt Tilio’s goal was “soft”.

“We gave them the goal,” Italiano said.

“We set up their transition. It was a poor passage of play between two players and I think that it’s going to be very hard to win games if you keep giving goals away.”

Originally published as A-League, round 21: Noah Botic scores as Western United beat the Mariners, Tilio scores for City