Woeful Brisbane Roar thrashed by rampant Central Coast Mariners

Brisbane Roar’s A-League season to forget has continued with a horrible performance in Gosford.

Mariners midfielder Josh Nisbet (left) celebrates a goal with teammate Marco Tulio. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images

Brisbane Roar have hit rock bottom after a shocking display in Gosford.

A 4-1 loss to the Central Coast Mariners on Saturday has condemned the Roar to last place on the A-League ladder after previous cellar dwellers Melbourne Victory had earlier beaten Wellington Phoenix 2-1.

The Roar were never in the contest at Industree Group Stadium, lacking passion, desire and intensity as they allowed the Mariners to take control from the outset.

The game was over after only half an hour with the hosts leading 3-0 thanks to goals from Brazilian Marco Tulio and midfielder Josh Nisbet, as well as own goal from Brisbane goalkeeper Jordan Holmes, after a header from Max Balard hit the crossbar and then the Roar gloveman before bouncing into the net.

Socceroos striker Jason Cummings further increased the Mariners’ lead in the 58th minute with a well-taken penalty after a handball offence from Brisbane defender Jordan Courtney-Perkins.

The Mariners celebrate during their easy win over Brisbane Roar. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images

The Roar grabbed a late consolation – also from the penalty spot – through Irish midfielder Jay O’Shea after another handball ruling, this time against Mariners defender Brian Kaltak.

But there was no denying Central Coast’s total dominance, with the comprehensive win not only lifting them into third place on the table, but also a memorable way to celebrate veteran goalkeeper Danny Vukovic’s 300th A-League appearance.

The Roar – who also paid a heavy price for interim coach Nick Green’s baffling decision to leave the ever present Kai Trewin out of the starting team on his return from the Olyroos camp in Italy – face plenty of soul searching ahead of next Saturday’s home clash against the Newcastle Jets.

Roar skipper Tom Aldred was extremely disappointed with Brisbane’s first-half performance.

“The first half was poor, probably as poor as we’ve been,” Aldred told Paramount +.

“When you come away from home and concede three goals so early in the game, it’s always going to be tough to get back in the game.

“I thought we started the second half quite well but we gave away another sloppy goal which is just really poor.”

Originally published as Woeful Brisbane Roar thrashed by rampant Central Coast Mariners