Matt Simon scored a late goal to give the Central Coast Mariners a share of the points with Adelaide United. Central Coast Mariners: 1 (Matt Simon 84') Adelaide United: 1 (Iain Fyfe 45+2')
Venue: Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford Crowd: 8,447 Referee: Kris Griffiths-Jones Yellow cards:CCM - Joshua Rose 18', Patrick Zwaanswijk 70', Oliver Bozanic 90+4' AU - Adam Hughes 15', 86', Daniel Mullen 36', Eugene Galekovic 88' Red cards:AU - Adam Hughes 86'
Central Coast were just millimetres away from taking the lead in the 8th minute when Daniel McBreen slammed the ball into the crossbar from close range after Oliver Bozanic found Matt Simon in the area from the left flank. Reds keeper Eugene Galekovic had no chance of stopping the McBreen shot but fortunately for the visitors it ricocheted away to safety.
Adelaide were struggling to create chances as the Mariners locked down their dangerous players but during the mid-stages of the half they opened things up a bit and came close on two occasions when Lucas Pantelis shot across the goalmouth in quick succession.
Both sides were headed for the sheds just before half-time with no goals after enduring a tough opening 45 minutes where both goalkeepers were merely spectators GOAL until Reds defender Iain Fyfe found himself all alone to tuck home a nice Pantelis free-kick for his fifth A-League goal and his third against the Mariners.
The Mariners stepped things up in the second half and were enjoying more shots on goal and much more possession than their counterparts. They were very close to equalising in the 67th minute when John Hutchinson volleyed from close range but Galekovic produced a top shelf save to keep his side in the game.
GOAL The home side kept pushing for a leveller and it came in the 84th minute when Simon was unmarked at the back post and was able to slot home despite calls from Reds defenders for off side.
Two minutes later, Adelaide's Adam Hughes was sent off for his second bookable offence leaving his side with ten men but they managed to hold on and grab a point on the road despite a controversial non-decision when Daniel Mullen appeared to handle the ball in the Mariners area.
Starting Line-Ups
CCM Jess Vanstrattan (gk), Daniel McBreen (Mrdja 71'), Joshua Rose, Bradley Porter (Bojic 63'), Patrick Zwaanswijk, John Hutchinson, Oliver Bozanic, Michael McGlinchey, Alex Wilkinson, Matt Simon, Adam Kwasnik (Griffiths 63')
Subs - Matthew Ryan (gk), Pedj Bojic (63'), Rostyn Griffiths (63'), Nik Mrdja (71')
AUEugene Galekovic (gk), Iain Fyfe, Daniel Mullen, Cassio, Lucas Pantelis, Adam Hughes, Sergio van Dijk Monterosso 90+4'), Marcos Flores (Ramsay 71'), Paul Reid, Inseob Shin (Watson 69'), Mathew Leckie
Subs - Mark Birighitti (gk), Francesco Monterosso (90+4'), Iain Ramsay (71'), Cameron Watson (69')
