Central Coast Mariners vs Macarthur Bulls FC at Glen Willow Stadium, Mudgee
Result: Mariners 4 – Macarthur 2
Triumph for depleted Mariners
A much-changed CCM outfit powered to victory over Macarthur Bulls in Mudgee by 4 goals to 2.
The first 30 minutes saw unique player changes by both sides. After just 15 minutes Harry McCarthy was injured, being replaced by Marcos Urena. This substitution proved a master stroke as the Ecuadorian scored the first of his two goals for the game within 10 minutes of taking the field. One of what become many raids down the left resulted in a nice through ball from Farrell to Cummings who beat the offside trap to cross the ball into the 6-yard box where Urena angled the ball past the Bulls keeper for the first goal.
Then at the 30th minute the Bulls made three substitutions, something never seen before in the A-League. This was done supposedly due to the three substituted players playing “poorly”.
Unfortunately, the Mariners conceded a late goal in extra time for the first half. A scramble in the Mariners own 6-yard box resulted in the Bulls scoring and scores being level 1-1 at half-time.
Mariners coach Montgomery made a half-time substitution in replacing Cy Goddard with Matt Hatch. This change had an almost immediate effect with Hatch scoring from a corner with a nice half-volley in the 48th minute.
Urena and Cummings were again involved in the 3rd goal at the 57th minute mark. Urena passed the ball to Cummings who in turn laid the ball off to Noah Smith. Smith found room on the left and put the ball toward goal with the ball finishing in the net for 3 -1.
The Mariners weren’t finished as again the Cummings/Urena link-up in the 80th pushed the score to 4 – 1. Cummings played supplier to Urena who made no mistake in scoring his second of the evening.
A late Bulls consolation goal did not phase the travelling fans and the scoring could have continued if not for a world-class save by Birighitti.
Interestingly the Mariners goals all came from within the opposition’s penalty box. Coach Monty will have a major headache in working out who to select for the game next Saturday at home against Adelaide United.
Match Summary - 2021/22 Game 16 (19-Mar-2022)
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