Canberra United vs Newcastle Jets – Postponed

In the face of forecasts of hazardous Air Quality Index (AQI) readings, both the Y-League meeting between Canberra and Newcastle and the W-League meeting between United and Sydney FC were postponed until a later date.

In response to the bushfire crisis that has gripped Australia, the A-League and W-League dedicated their last and their coming round to helping to raise funds for those affected by the fires.

Central Coast Mariners 1-0 Western Sydney Wanderers

A week after suffering a disappointing 5-3 defeat at the hands of Sydney FC in a top-of-the-table Conference B clash, the Mariners got back to their winning ways on Saturday morning against visiting Wanderers.

Getting out the blocks fast, the Mariners almost took the lead in the third minute of play when senior listed player Majok was played in behind the Wanderers lines and let loose with an effort that crashed off the post and out of play.

Two minutes later, however, the Mariners did grab their lead when the Wanderers failed to clear a corner floated into the area – allowing Ruon Tongyik to pounce on the loose ball and poke home for the opener.

Unfortunately for all present, stifling conditions made the going tough at Pluim Park.

The fixture already moved forward to 8.45 in the morning to beat the heat, numerous drinks break were observed as the contest wore on but, eventually, the conditions presented too great a risk to the safety of the players, and the game was abandoned at the first drinks break of the second half.

“Everyone wanted to finish the 90 minutes but the temperatures soared as we thought they would,” Mariners Head Coach Nick Montgomery told the Mariners club media post-game.

“It was unfortunate that we didn’t play the last 30 minutes, but the result stands and I think we deserved the win.

“We missed a couple of chances in the first half, hit the post, had some that rolled across the line, but it was a low-quality game. The heat ruined the spectacle a little bit, but it was a good experience, certainly a good test for the boys but disappointed we had to finish the game.

“You could see after 20 minutes that the temperature was rising and fatigue was setting in.

“Boys that are normally sharp and make the runs in behind weren’t doing that and we weren’t stretching them, but it’s easy to say that from the sideline.”