Melbourne Victory 0-4 Central Coast Mariners: Mariners Embarrass Melbourne For Best-Ever Victory

The Central Coast Mariners have thrashed premiership hopefuls Melbourne Victory 4-0 in front of over 18,000 fans at Etihad Stadium.

Melbourne had everything to play for going into the match. Riding on the form of stars Carlos Hernandez and Archie Thompson, a win at home would have secured top spot on the A-League table for at least a day. For much of the match, possession was closely fought and the eventual outcome looked unclear.

Lawrie McKinna’s Mariners, however, found form when it counted and Adam Kwansik, Matt Simon, Dean Heffernan and Nik Mrdja all got their names on the scoresheet for the away side.

The first ten minutes of the match were hotly contested, a spill from Mariners goalkeeper Danny Vukovic almost handed the home side an early lead.

The game erupted in excitement on 14 minutes when English-born Central Coast midfielder Nicky Travis beat two men to unleash a cracking shot toward Victory keeper Glenn Moss who could only block the ball back into open play. Adam Kwasnik managed to leap well into the air to scissor-kick the rebound into the net for his third career goal against the Melbourne side.

On his landing, 26-year-old Kwasnik landed awkwardly on his right knee and was taken off briefly after showing signs of pain. Nevertheless, the Central Coast had secured a traditional early lead against their inter-state rivals, and showed no signs of slowing up on the restart.

Costa Rican playmaker Carlos Hernandez had a long-range attempt swing slightly wide on 20 minutes as Melbourne became desperate to get themselves back into the match. Archie Thompson, coming off a superb performance in Perth last week, had a clearer chance a few minutes later in the Mariner’s area but skied his shot well above the Vukovic goal.

In-form Matthew Kemp ran unopposed down the left flank on 25 minutes only to have his cross blocked by several diving Mariners defenders.

The next 15 minutes consisted of a series of half-chances for both sides, with many long-range shots finishing well clear of their mark.

Maltese international John Hutchinson’s groin was on the unfortunate end of a swinging Carlos Hernandez follow through, slow motion replays showing no mercy from Hernandez’s 35th minute accidental kick.

A swinging Kevin Muscat’s arm met Matt Simon’s face on 39 minutes, requiring the young Mariners striker to receive on-field treatment. Both sides were trying to outmuscle their opponent, a constant string of suspect tackles broke up the otherwise fluid and active play.

Danny Vukovic displayed his class on 44 minutes when a cleverly-played quick free kick by crowd favourite Mate Dugandzic found Archie Thompson in the clear well inside the area. Thompson’s cracking shot on the turn was saved brilliantly by the Mariner’s keeper, statistically the best in the A-League, who pushed the ball out for a tame corner.

The physicality of the contest became personal on 45 minutes when Carlos Hernandez was fouled by Australian Under-23 representative Nigel Boogaard for the first yellow card of the match, and a group of players from both sides began exchanging heated words and pushes until veteran referee Srebre Delovski dispersed the crowd.

Thai international Surat Sukha was brought on at half time to solidify the middle of midfield, coach Ernie Merrick apparently desiring for more control of possession from the home side.

Diminutive left-winger Matthew Lewis, searching for his first goal for the Mariners, chest-and-volleyed from 35 yards out to send a beautiful dipping shot into the path of New Zealand goalkeeper Moss who theatrically tapped the ball over the crossbar for a corner.

On 55 minutes, 19-year-old Lewis was in prime position to put the Central Coast two goals ahead but skied a wild first-time shot far off target.

Sutee Suksomkit missed a glorious chance just 30 seconds later. Six yards out with the ball at his feet, the Victory’s second Thai international took far too long to unleash a tame shot that Vukovic was easily able to block. An uncharacteristically poor performance from the striker resulted in Merrick making his second change of the night, replacing him with Brazilian-born Ney Fabiano.

Nicky Travis found himself inside the Melbourne area on 63 minutes, only for his attempt to steer well clear. The first 20 minutes of the second half played out in a similar fashion, both sides struggling for clear chances on goal but passes were often pinpoint and the play exciting.

Former Socceroo Ahmed Elrich pounced on a Melbourne defensive mistake to dribble within striking range but opted to cross for his teammates, the pass easily pushed out for a corner by waiting Victory defenders.

The persistence from the visiting side was rewarded for the second time of the night on 75 minutes to deafen the screams of the passionate home fans. Nicky Travis capped off his outstanding night by providing a perfect outswinging corner to meet a roaming Matt Simon who headed home in style.

Central Coast showed why they deserved the lead once more on 79 minutes as an outstretched Danny Vukovic miraculously stopped a Ney Fabiano drive.

The night went from bad to worse a minute later when Dean Heffernan pounced on a loose ball from Pedj Bojic to strike a ball between the legs of Victory keeper Glenn Moss from close range.

Amazingly enough, the Mariners managed to snare a fourth goal for the night via a John Hutchinson free kick that embarrassed Glenn Moss by bouncing painfully short of the keeper's reach. The resulting scramble in the six-yard box left Nik Mrdja to pass the ball in from a yard out of an empty net.

Melbourne were desperate to restore some respect and threaded attempted long balls for the majority of the final 10 minutes of the match, but the Mariners were relentless in their team effort and controlled the rest of the game with visible ease.

Srebre Delovski blew full time much to the contempt of the home fans and players, disgusted faces and boos rocked the stadium and left a harsh atmosphere on the evening of otherwise spectacular football.

The crushing defeat marks Melbourne’s biggest ever at home, and ties their biggest loss ever. The Central Coast Mariners have matched their best ever win and now move up to third place, sending a message as to their championship intentions.

Jason Cohn, Goal.com