The Mariners’ Men hosted the Newcastle Jets with an entertaining 0-0 draw. Both teams were going into this match with unbeaten records.
The match started well with both sides playing attacking football. The best opportunities going to the visitors in the 13th and 14th minutes.
Shortly after in the 18th minute, Storm Roux was substituted off due to injury. Roux was replaced by youngster Jacob Nasso.
Newcastle continued to press and thought they had the go-ahead goal in the 21st minute. However, VAR review found a Newcastle player was off-side and the goal was overturned. Still 0-0.
This spurred the Mariners on with several attacking moves on the Newcastle goal.
Unfortunately, the Mariners would need to make another early substitution with Alfie McCalmont replacing injured Miguel Di Pizio in the 29th minute.
McCalmont had an immediate impact that resulted in shots from Donnell and Eames putting pressure on the Newcastle goalkeeper.
Late in the half Newcastle had a wonderful opportunity, only to see James Donachie clear the ball off the goal line. They also had another real chance deep into extra time for the first half, only for Andrew Redmayne making a vital save.
Half-time with match statistics very even.
In the second half the Mariners dominated for the first 20 minutes or so but could not convert their opportunities.
This turned around in the favour of the visitors who had some opportunities thwarted by the Mariners defensive line.
Match ended 0-0.
The Mariners Men next play Macarthur Bulls in Macarthur. Kick-off is scheduled for 7pm on Wednesday evening, 4th March.
Both Mariners teams played at home this weekend with Women first on Friday evening and the Men today (Sunday).
The Women had a tough assignment in playing league leaders, Melbourne City.
The first half saw Mariners with a chance in the 12th minute to Prakash that was easily saved.
City had a great opportunity in the 35th minute, drawing a great one-handed save from Mariners goalkeeper Grove. This was closely followed three minutes later with a corner for the visitors who could not get a shot a target.
Score was 0-0 at half-time.
Seven minutes into the second half, the visitors would open up the scoring with a well-worked move down the left.
Two more goals in the 68th and 74th minutes took the score to 3-0.
The Mariners pulled one back with Gomez scoring in the 77th minute, making the final score Mariners 1 - Melbourne City 3.
This loss pushes the Women down to 7th position, out of the top 6 on goal difference.
Sunday evening it was the Men's turn against Western Sydney Wanderers. This was a match involving Mariners in 11th position and Wanderers in 12th on the ladder.
Scoring started early with the visitors in the 8th minute, working a move started and finished by Thurgate.
They had other chances with the ball hitting the crossbar in the 20th and 46th minutes.
Mariners Men would draw level on the score sheet in the 55th with Ali Auglah score again with a curved chip shot into the top left hand corner.
Wanderers would go ahead again in the 69th minute with a well worked move to open up the Mariners defence.
In the 77th minute the Mariners would draw level. A long ball to the left found Mauragis who placed a perfect cross to the Wanderers far post. Here it found Nathanael Blair who headed the ball past the Wanderers goalkeeper.
The Mariners Men would get the go-ahead goal in the 89th minute. A shot from outside the visitors penalty box by Bailey Brandtman struck the right-upright, coming back into the field of play. Here it found James Donachie who scored into an empty goal.
This win places the Men into 7th position, only three points out of the top 6.
The next Mariners match is the Men who play Newcastle Jets in Gosford on Saturday, 28th February with kick-off scheduled for 5pm (AEDT).
The Women's competition takes break while the Women's AFC Asian Cup is being played. Their next match is not until 21st March against Perth Glory in Perth. Kick-off scheduled for 5pm (AEDT).
Please be advised that the Round 20 match between Macarthur Bulls and Central Coast Mariners that was previously scheduled for 25th February has been rescheduled.
This match is now scheduled to be played on 4th March 2026 with kick-off scheduled for 7pm (AEDT).
For travelling fans, all purchased tickets can be used for the rescheduled date.
For those not travelling to the match, it will be broadcast on Paramount+.
