Central Coast Mariners keen to atone for ‘really disappointing’ loss to Sydney FC

The Mariners are glad they don’t have to wait long for the chance to bounce back from their poor performance against Sydney FC.

Mariners defender Storm Roux struggles to keep pace with Sydney FC’s Rhyan Grant during Central Coast’s 2-0 weekend loss. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Central Coast coach Mark Jackson is adamant the Mariners’ bid for back-to-back A-League titles won’t be derailed by a “really disappointing” performance against Sydney FC.

The Mariners lost for just the second time in more than four months in all competitions when they were beaten 2-0 by the Sky Blues at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.

Mariners coach Mark Jackson was disappointed with his side’s display against Sydney FC. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

“We didn’t deserve to get anything from the game … a really disappointing game,” Jackson said.

“Sydney were the better team on the day in all aspects and that was the disappointing factor for us. We’ve not done that for a long time.”

The Mariners don’t have to wait long in their bid for redemption as they host Melbourne City in Gosford on Tuesday night.

“We’ve lost two games in over four months, so that’s a fantastic record to be on, but we don’t just want to be talking about that,” Jackson said.

“We want to be talking about how we finish the season. We’re clear on that. The boys are fully focused.

“We’ve brushed it (the weekend loss) aside a little bit and learnt from it in a short space of time, and we’re ready to go against Melbourne City, which we know will be an extremely tough game as well.

“We’re not going to let one disappointing performance and result take control of our minds and our mindset. We’re going to be in full control of how we respond to this.”

The second-placed Mariners are currently six points behind A-League leaders Wellington Phoenix – who they host on Saturday – but have a game in hand on the Kiwi outfit.

Seventh-placed Melbourne City need a win on Tuesday to maintain their push for a top-six berth.

Assistant coach Raffaele Napoli will again guide City’s fortunes to cover for the absence of head coach Aurelio Vidmar, who was hospitalised last week.