The Mariners were more conservative than the attack-minded team that thrashed Canberra FC 4-0 on Monday night, with coach Graham Arnold making eight changes to the starting lineup.

But the win did come with an injury concern with right back Pedj Bojic coming off with a foot injury in the first half.

His replacement, Brad Porter, had an immediate impact with his cross finding Matt Simon, who headed home at the back post.

Porter was on the scoresheet two minutes later with his pass into the penalty area evading all bodies to find the back of the net.

Marc Warren was the catalyst for the third with his ball from the left finding Adam Kwasnik, whose backheel beat the keeper at the near post to make it four goals in two games for the striker.

The Mariners had the better of the play for the remainder of the half, but Dustin Wells pulled one back for the home side from the penalty spot after Alex Wilkinson was adjudged to have brought down Tai Smith.

New Zealand international Michael McGlinchey set up the fourth with a fine through ball, allowing John Hutchinson to put the result beyond doubt after a shot from Rory Feely was blocked.

Arnold was happy with the performance and described it as "very promising".
 
"It was a slick performance and I thought our football in patches was again very good," he said. 

The head coach was pleased with the way his team had settled into playing with a new formation. 
 
He added: "We've had two half sessions working on our defensive shape and the important thing is they are taking to it very easily with the narrow diamond.

"We hve players for that system and it is always about getting the right players for that certain system."


Match Details

Belconnen United 1 (Wells 44'(pen))
Central Coast Mariners 4 (Simon 29', Porter 31', Kwasnik 32', Hutchinson 83')
 
Belconnen United: 20. Rohan SHEPHARD (GK) (1. Alex CONNELL (GK) 46'), 2. Matt VALERI (C), 3. Dustin WELLS, 4. Bernie RENE (7. Josh SHIPLEY 82'), 5. Taylor BEATON, 8. Cam REINHARDT, 9. Tai SMITH, 16. Zac MAYBURY,  17. Matt GRAYSON (15. Glen SMITH 46'), 18. Jason O'DWYER (12. Michael REEVE 29', 18. Jason O'DWYER 46'), 19. Dave ARRANZ (12. Michael REEVE 63', 11. Callum SMITH 84').
 
Subs Not Used: Nil.
 
Central Coast Mariners: 20. Matthew NASH (GK), 4. Pedj BOJIC (5. Brad PORTER 28'), 7. John HUTCHINSON, 11. Oliver BOZANIC (12. Matthew LEWIS 82'), 14. Michael McGLINCHEY, 15. Marc WARREN, 17. Chris DOIG, 18. Alex WILKINSON (C) (16. Trent SAINSBURY 46'), 19. Matt SIMON (6. Rory FEELY 72'), 22. Mustafa AMINI (8. Rostyn GRIFFITHS 63'), 23. Adam KWASNIK (2. Daniel McBREEN 46').
 
Subs Not Used: 21. Sam GALLAGHER.