Smooth sailing for Mariners on milestone night for Simon

He’s the king of the club and on his milestone night Matt Simon has helped send the Central Coast Mariners back to the top of the A-League table.

Danny De Silva of the Mariners celebrates the winner with teammates against Melbourne City FC Picture: Getty Images

He’s the king of the club and on his milestone night Matt Simon has helped send the Central Coast Mariners back to the top of the A-League table after inspiring a come-from-behind win over Melbourne City in Gosford.

The Mariners trailed 2-0 early, but the skipper dragged his team back in the contest in his 200th game for the club. Simon set-up the goal that got the hosts on the scoresheet before earning, and then converting, the penalty to draw the Mariners level.

Danny De Silva then produced a moment of individual brilliance that proved he can still live up to his wunderkind status in Australian soccer. He drove home the winner from outside the 18-yard box to punish a Melbourne City side who had been reduced to 10 men after defender Kerrin Stokes was sent off.

The loss is the second in four days for last season’s grand finalists and it applies some early season pressure on coach Patrick Kisnorbo.

Earlier, City took the lead against the run of play thanks to the creative work from Englishman Craig Noone down the right flank who laid the ball on a platter for Adrian Luna to flick home.

Their advantage was doubled shortly after when Florin Berenguer pounced on a Mariners turnover and played it into the path of Socceroos striker Jamie Maclaren who scored his third goal of the season.

The Mariners response before half-time was instrumental in changing the course of the game.

The class of De Silva and Costa Rican international Marco Urena helped set-up Simon who showed superb composure on his big night to tee up Jaden Casella for his first A-League goal.

The second-half show from Simon and De Silva inspired the Mariners to another big victory as they continue to revive the club’s fortunes after four wooden spoons in its past five seasons.

City goalkeeper Tom Glover’s class was on show again with two big first half saves. He kept City in the game when they were under the pump but his efforts in the end were futile.