PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEKEND – CENTRAL COAST MARINERS

With their first win of the season and first win in the A-League since January, Central Coast came from a goal down to put in an impressive performance against Adelaide United.

A bad draw has seen them play just one home match in their first five games and many would not have been expecting them to get the job done against Adelaide. The team have come close, drawing twice this season against Perth and Western Sydney but couldn’t find the finishing goals.

Both teams had solid chances hit the post inside the first 20 minutes. Jordan O’Doherty whipped a ball across the face of goal only to see his effort bounce out, off the bar. Roy O’Donovan almost mirrored the effort up the other end, slotting the ball just past Eugene Galekovic only to see it smack the upright.

Adelaide took first blood in the match after Sergi Guardiola was taken out by Storm Roux in the box. The Spaniard slotted the spot kick perfectly past Paul Izzo to give himself a second goal in as many matches.

Adelaide went into the break ahead but couldn’t hang onto that lead for longer than two minutes after the resumption of play. Connor Pain found space inside Adelaide’s half and put through a perfectly lobbed ball to Roy O’Donovan who perfectly chipped the onrushing Galekovic to put Central Coast back on level terms.

It only took ten minutes to find the eventual winner with Pain again being given space. Receiving the ball well outside the box, he touched the ball onto his right foot and let go an absolute screamer, finding the top corner of the goal from range.

It wasn’t so much the individual game that made Central Coast win the performance of the weekend, but rather what it means. Having failed to get an A-League win for so long and putting in some solid performances this season, they had probably deserved a win as early as round one.

Paul Okon said after the match that he believes his team is playing “the best football in the competition.” While there might be some bias in that statement, their performances this season, compared to last are an improvement.

Whilst the club is still transitioning under Okon, there are positive signs that the woes of the last season could be behind them and that the Central Coast of old, could be on the way back.

Now sitting 8th in the competition, they’re only three points off 4th spot. Next week is a big chance for them as they take on Wellington Phoenix is just their second home game of the season. Wellington have only won once this season and have the worst goal difference in the competition.

 PLAYER OF THE WEEKEND – COREY BROWN

Still a player on the rise, Corey Brown put in an exceptional performance against Melbourne City on Friday night.

Whilst he has been known to be an attacking fullback, he proved his defensive capabilities over the weekend. It was always going to be a tough battle coming up against one of the most attacking teams in the competition. Melbourne City were sitting second coming into the match and Brisbane knew that a win would get them that spot.

Tasked with keeping an eye on Bruce Kamau and Fernando Brandan, he certainly had a tough task ahead of him, as did all the Brisbane defence. They went above and beyond however, with Melbourne City unable to record a shot on target for the entire game.

Still just 22 years of age, Brown has plenty going for him. An assist last weekend coupled with the defensive display against Melbourne City shows the diversity in his game as a full back. It’s not often a defender gets noticed in a game but Brown certainly made himself noticed both in defence and going forward.

Brown may not have been in the centre of the defence but he had to take care of some of the best wingers in the competition. Add to that the fact City play some of the most fluid football in the competition and the achievements by both Brown and the Brisbane defence is quite extraordinary.

Not even a flair up with Luke Brattan could dampen the performance of Brown who put in one of the performances of the season so far.

GOAL OF THE WEEKEND – NICO MARTINEZ

Honourable Mention: Connor Pain

If you were more than 30 second late to the broadcast, you would have missed this goal. The match had barely kicked off when Nico Martinez found the back of the net, delivering the finish with pinpoint accuracy.

In just his second start for the club, he already broke its record for the fastest goal. Having received the ball just outside the box, he took a few quick touches before letting go of the shot that buried itself in the bottom corner.

Whilst the defensive pressure wasn’t enormous, the ability to receive the ball, quickly find an opening and slot it into the bottom corner inside the first 30 seconds of the match is impressive. Add to that, the fact he had drifted a long way in-field to receive the ball and there is obviously a killer instinct in the player.

He is only on loan to Western Sydney but they are already getting their money’s worth. Martinez later got an assist for the second goal of the match, giving him two assists and one goal in just two starts for the club.

Whilst he may not be breaking any more records for the club, he will be happy with breaking the club’s record for quickest goal ever scored.

FLOP OF THE WEEKEND – ADELAIDE UNITED

Their grand final win might seem a distant memory now for Adelaide United. Despite the remarks from some inside the team that they’re playing better than they were this same time last season, its evidently not good enough. A draw to Newcastle Jets is the only point they’ve managed to secure so far.

Many criticised their off-season transfers (or lack thereof) and it seems the critics were right. They have had every chance to get a result, playing three home matches in five games to start the season. They had their chance against Central Coast over the weekend but squandered a 1-0 lead at half time to a team that hadn’t won in 281 days prior.

They went very close on the weekend and delivered a first half display that would have led many to believe they were on their way to a positive result. But a poor second half performance allowed Central Coast back into the game and the Mariners capitalised excellently.

Their performance against Central Coast not terrible, but it signifies how far they have to go to start getting some positive results on board. Sergi Guardiola has been a bright spark for them but his individual performances aren’t enough for the team.

Many may point to the fact that they didn’t have a very good start to last season and that they ended up winning the final but things feel very different this year and the quality of teams has stepped up, leaving Adelaide behind.

Adelaide now sit bottom of the table with just one point to their name. They have four consecutive 2-1 losses under their belt and next week (in yet another home game) will take on second placed Brisbane Roar who are flying high after beating Melbourne City. It certainly looks a tough road ahead for Adelaide.