Stalemate ends horror run for Mariners
Central Coast not only avoided an unwanted record but put a dent in the Jets’ final aspirations.
The wooden spoon may be headed their way for the fourth time in five seasons but the Central Coast Mariners at least avoided an unwanted piece of A-League history in Gosford on Friday night.
The Mariners’ 0-0 draw with Newcastle snapped a run of 11 successive A-League defeats for Central Coast.
Twelve straight losses would have been a new A-League record.
Having just two matches left to play, the Mariners’ season can’t end soon enough despite the competition having only resumed last week after a COVID-19 enforced break of almost four months.
But at least they will take some consolation from ending their depressive run of defeats, and delivering a blow to arch rivals Newcastle’s slim hopes of playing finals football.
From the high of beating first-placed Sydney FC 2-1 on Tuesday night, the eighth-placed Jets produced a disappointing performance in the 50th F3 derby.
Despite the Jets’ quick turnaround between games, Newcastle coach Carl Robinson rewarded the team that started against Sydney by naming the same 11.
It meant star pair Dimitri Petratos and Joe Ledley again had to be content with spots among the substitutes.
Early on it looked a wise decision, with Newcastle having the best of first half.
Bernie Ibini’s combination on the right with Matthew Millar particularly caused the Mariners headaches.
Millar got behind the Mariners’ defence in the 34th minute, and laid the ball into the path of Roy O’Donovan, but the Irish marksman was too slow to react and the opportunity was gone.
The impressive Ibini had two chances in the space of 60 seconds in the 38th minute.
The first was blocked by Mariners defender Ziggy Gordon, while the second was parried to safety by goalkeeper Mark Birighitti.
The Jets were nearly made to pay for their wastefulness in the 43rd minute when Mariners attacker Samuel Silvera forced Newcastle keeper Lewis Italiano into a smart save at his near post.
Ibini and Millar were both forced off with injuries in the second half, and with their departures went the Jets’ hopes of winning.
NCA Newswire
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