For the second time in three days, the Central Coast Mariners were challenged at times but proved far too strong as they beat South Hobart 4-1 at Lightwood Park.
In a first half where South struggled to gain any sort of possession, the Mariners could still only manage one goal through a Matt Simon penalty. The game opened up after the half-time break, and while Simon bagged a hat-trick and Tommy Oar added a fourth the hosts looked dangerous throughout and were rewarded with a goal to Bradley Lakoseljac.
Right from the opening kickoff, there were ominous signs for South Hobart of what was to come. The first 15 minutes saw three thumping headers from Simon fly just off target and a shot from Oar that stayed out off the post. South goalkeeper Graham Wright was confident between the sticks and snuffed out a number of attacks, but he was under constant pressure as the ball was locked in his third of the pitch.
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Solstice Photography[/caption]
The Mariners sent cross after cross into the penalty area, but they couldn't manage a shot on target until just before the half-hour mark when they were handed a freebie from the spot. Central Coast trialist Jacob Esposito made a driving run with the ball into the area, and after cutting a pass back across goal he was taken down by South defender Jack Bowman. The referee thought long and hard before finally pointing to the spot, and Simon stepped up and gave his side the lead with an emphatic blast down the middle.
The Mariners had their first shot on target from general play shortly after, but that was as good as it got for the rest of the half as they continued to misfire in the final third. South struggled to slow them down across the park, but some promising attacking play just before the half-time whistle was an early glimpse at a more positive second half showing.
It looked like being anything but straight after the break, though, as the Mainers threatened to turn the contest into a blowout with two goals in two minutes. It was Simon scoring both to complete his hat-trick in quick time, with a diving header and a shot past Wright at the near post both assisted by Oar.
That frenetic pace continued as South hit back two minutes later with a goal born purely from effort. Ben Hamlett pressed fanatically throughout the contest, and that hard running was rewarded when he forced a Mariners turnover deep in their defensive area. He played the ball to the top of the box where Bradley Lakoseljac steadied and placed a shot perfectly into the bottom corner of the net.
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Solstice Photography[/caption]
The home crowd's celebrations were short-lived, as the Mariners again took just minutes to add to their tally. A long ball caught the South defence off guard and played Simon into a one-on-one with Wright. The South gloveman could only commit a foul as Simon tried to go past him, but it mattered not as the ball fell to Oar who took the advantage and finished into an open net.
The final half hour may not have produced any more goals, but it was probably the most even period of the game as the ball moved from end-to-end and both sides had chances to score. Mariners substitute Mario Shabow forced a final save from Wright, while Kobe Kemp and Hamlett both had chances to fire on goal. Both teams made plenty of changes, as Central Coast continued to tinker with their lineup and South made sure their younger brigade all saw some time on the pitch.
Entertaining as it was, the game's closing period saw the score remain the same and finish in a comfortable 4-1 win to the visitors. The Mariners will now return to Gosford to continue preparing for the upcoming Hyundai A-League season, while South Hobart can move into the off-season proud of their efforts against a formidable opponent.
Solstice Photography[/caption]
The Mariners sent cross after cross into the penalty area, but they couldn't manage a shot on target until just before the half-hour mark when they were handed a freebie from the spot. Central Coast trialist Jacob Esposito made a driving run with the ball into the area, and after cutting a pass back across goal he was taken down by South defender Jack Bowman. The referee thought long and hard before finally pointing to the spot, and Simon stepped up and gave his side the lead with an emphatic blast down the middle.
The Mariners had their first shot on target from general play shortly after, but that was as good as it got for the rest of the half as they continued to misfire in the final third. South struggled to slow them down across the park, but some promising attacking play just before the half-time whistle was an early glimpse at a more positive second half showing.
It looked like being anything but straight after the break, though, as the Mainers threatened to turn the contest into a blowout with two goals in two minutes. It was Simon scoring both to complete his hat-trick in quick time, with a diving header and a shot past Wright at the near post both assisted by Oar.
That frenetic pace continued as South hit back two minutes later with a goal born purely from effort. Ben Hamlett pressed fanatically throughout the contest, and that hard running was rewarded when he forced a Mariners turnover deep in their defensive area. He played the ball to the top of the box where Bradley Lakoseljac steadied and placed a shot perfectly into the bottom corner of the net.
[caption id="attachment_13416" align="alignnone" width="615"] Solstice Photography[/caption]
The home crowd's celebrations were short-lived, as the Mariners again took just minutes to add to their tally. A long ball caught the South defence off guard and played Simon into a one-on-one with Wright. The South gloveman could only commit a foul as Simon tried to go past him, but it mattered not as the ball fell to Oar who took the advantage and finished into an open net.
The final half hour may not have produced any more goals, but it was probably the most even period of the game as the ball moved from end-to-end and both sides had chances to score. Mariners substitute Mario Shabow forced a final save from Wright, while Kobe Kemp and Hamlett both had chances to fire on goal. Both teams made plenty of changes, as Central Coast continued to tinker with their lineup and South made sure their younger brigade all saw some time on the pitch.
Entertaining as it was, the game's closing period saw the score remain the same and finish in a comfortable 4-1 win to the visitors. The Mariners will now return to Gosford to continue preparing for the upcoming Hyundai A-League season, while South Hobart can move into the off-season proud of their efforts against a formidable opponent.