Melbourne Victory and Central Coast couldn’t be split at the end of the 90 at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night, with the honours even at 2-2. In a top notch first half, a brace from Central Coast forward Daniel McBreen and goals from Victory duo Andrew Nabbout and Mark Milligan left the game deadlocked and unable to be broken in the second half.

Victory

Youth playing a leading role
This was a major positive, and it came out of forced withdrawals of Finkler and Thompson. Due for an another role off the bench until Archie Thompson was a late withdrawal, Andrew Nabbout continued his rise against the Mariners, nabbing another goal from his head off a Marco Rojas cross to equalise early. Marco Rojas found himself as the more senior striker/winger next to Nabbout, and continued his hot run of form all night running at the Mariners defence. Isaka Cernak was given a rare start next to Marcos Flores and looked lively, although giving away possession too often. Chris Cristaldo was brought into the squad at last minute, he clearly isn’t all ready but he showed some spark and pace off the bench.

Red card (part 1)
Not going to ask what Flores was thinking when he clattered Trent Sainsbury just a minute from full-time, because the likelihood is he wasn’t. It was silly and looked a desperate lunge for the ball late-on when Victory were pressing for a winner. The card and suspension could be costly, with Ange admitting Gui Finkler was no guarantee to return for this weekend’s clash against the Wanderers either.

How costly were the missing players?
It is hard not to wonder what the result may have been had Victory had their full array of their attacking setup available, but then again, Nabbout’s rise is hailed so you can’t have it both ways. As Ange’s preferred line-up is coming clear, starting to gel and getting results this makes every absence hurt. This has been due to injuries and international commitments, but more improvement will come once Victory starts getting the same XI out there consistently.

Unable to exploit the 10 men
After an even first half, the second half would be all to the home side after the sending off of Patrick Zwaanswijk. Despite making all the play and with most of the possession, Victory were repeatedly denied despite forcing the Mariners deep into their half. That final ball to get through on goal wasn’t there, leaving the scores dead even at the end.

It all evens out (part 1)
As frustrating as it was, Victory fans can be pretty content with the result. The result you usually get is usually deserved at the end of it all, a case in point is definitely this game. Victory missed some key attackers, but that would be evened out by Zwaanswijk’s red and the forced substitution of Tom Rogic. Cannot complain too much.

Mariners

Scores when he wants
Daniel McBreen continued his rare form, following up his hat-trick against Sydney two weeks ago and his match-winner against Wellington last round with a brace against Victory. Twice he latched on to either a quick or long pass to make Victory chase the game. His supply is by no means dry, with the likes of Rogic and Sterjovski providing the goals. It always helps to put the chances away and McBreen is doing that at will at the moment.

Red card (part 2)
You can’t have too many gripes about this one, Delovski called it right. Zwaanswijk was yellow carded for time-wasting in the fifth minute and had only himself to bame for a second yellow contesting a ball with a rising arm putting Flores in a spot on the 50th minute. His sending off took any chance of the Mariners walking away with all three points.

It all evens out (part 2)
Like Victory, the Mariners can’t feel too aggrieved at the result either. A point on the road is never bad, and despite losing Rogic and Zwaanswijk during the game, you can point to the young centre-halves pairing of Sainsbury and sub Zac Anderson leading their team with a strong performance down back. The game could’ve gone either way and there are so many what ifs out of it.

Shape, compact formation
I was sitting in the third tier at Etihad Stadium, and it gave me a chance to get a look at the Mariners from a good distance. It confirmed what I’d suspected before, just how disciplined and solid they are. The lines between defence are never far apart and hunkered down halfway through their defensive half to halfway in their attacking half, but that comes closer into the midfield instantly once possession is lost. This closes down their opponents and giving nothing away. Undoubtedly, this has led to their success over the past seasons.

Last ditch defending
Being down to ten men left no real option, but the Mariners stuck to their guns and didn’t give away a goal. John Hutchinson and Nick Montgomery kept their ends in front of Anderson and Sainsbury, who carried on to deny Victory.  It takes a disciplined and toughened group to carry that effort when being pinned back in their own half, not many are like the Mariners in that regard.