Before the match Matt Simon said “It’s a huge game for us back at home and we haven’t had a win yet. Everyone is keen to get that first win.”

Back at home in Gosford, Mike Mulvey's side faced Sydney FC who themselves were looking to bounce back from the Big Blue defeat.

Central Coast Stadium played host to a tough, open game of football, where history pointed to a Sky Blues win due to their dominance of this fixture, only losing once in 12 fixtures.

The Mariners came out of the box with so much intent, pressing, moving the ball quicker than Steve Corica side, with a lot of energy about them in the first half. 

But Sydney after the break gathered their experience and played the better football, where it appeared the Mariners were tiring. It ended Central Coast Mariners 1-2 Sydney FC.

CENTRAL COAST MARINERS

Ben Kennedy – 7

Quiet-opening, made one mistake from a cross but was rescued by his defenders. Could not stop the penalty from Adam Le Fondre's powerful strike.

Jack Clisby – 7

Very early chance to score in the first minute, getting forward when possible, dangerous balls into the box. Let himself down by clipping Rhyan Grant in the penalty box. Sub on the 83min.

Kye Rowles – 7

Another solid display in defence, following on from last week.

Antony Golec -7
Tracking Sydney’s attacking players, staying solid in defence

Jake McGling - 7
Came in for Cisse and had a good start, couple of sloppy tackles but not in dangerous areas.

Aiden O’Neill – 7

Good job in midfield, pressing forward.

Mathew Millar – 7

Fantastic start with an early cross for Clisby to score. Produced a brilliant cross for the opening goal which resulted in a Matt Simon tap in. Causing so many problems down Sydney’s left-hand side, Zullo unsure how to handle him. Powerful direct running with superb ball control.

Jacob Melling – 6

Looked lively, doing his job in the midfield but was giving away too many sloppy tackles throughout the game.

Connor Pain – 7

Created a lot of space for himself down the right-hand side, a lot of energy, very lively early on.

Andrew Hoole – 7

Quietly going about his role, solid and in support. Good first half. Mixed performance in the second like a lot of his team mates.

Aiden ONeil – 7

Another midfield player just simply doing the ‘business’ including a decent strike in the second half.

Mathew Simon – 7

Simon has an amazing amount of energy, chasing down everything, giving Jop Van Der Linden something to think about when in possession. Reward for his efforts is a goal from six yards out.

Very poor making from Sydney’s defence. Kept the high tempo in the second half produce a late tackle and got a yellow card for his troubles.

SUBS

Tom Hiariej – 6

Like for like as he replaced Jacob Melling, couple of decent passes of the ball

Michael McGlinchey – 6

Made no real impact when he came on as Sydney had the momentum.

Mario Shabow – N/ A

Not on long enough to get a rating.

SYDNEY FC

Andrew Redmayne – 7

Was unable to do anything about CCM opener, defenders let him down went it matter. Good saves in second half and commanded his area, even with Matt Simon bearing down him.

Michael Zullo – 6

Had a tough day at the office with Matt Millar dominating the right-hand side. Zullo looked uneasy and didn’t know how to handle the pacey winger. Poor crosses and passes.

Jop Van Der Linden – 6

Slow to release the ball early on. He completely struggled with Matt Simon's presence throughout the game and received a yellow card out of frustration from a late tackle on Simon.

But he took a fantastic free-kick which powered of the cross bar.

Alexander Wilkinson – 6

Another one of the defenders who stood around and watched the first goal go in, but he had a better second half.

Rhyan Grant – 6

Early on he took too long in possession like most of his team mates, guilty as charged for watching Simon score.

Sloppy passes and defending, struggled for the first 30 minutes. Once he got into a threating position Grant made it count, by running direct into the box for Clisby to clip his ankles. Mixed performance

Brandon O’Neill – 6

Once again his first half was not anything to write home about. Poor decision making and bad tackles, but he produced an unstoppable strike from 15 yards out into Kennedy’s top left.

Joshua Brillante – 6

Quiet day but made no real inroads to lay down a marker. One wild shot where he could of passed the ball to Grant.

Alex Brosque – 6

Nice early touch of the ball but kept quiet most of the game. One shot in the second half out of anger. Sub on 88 minutes.

Milos Ninkovic – 6

Jacob Melling clattered him in the opening minutes of the game. Quiet all day due to the knock on his knee...did try to get involved.

Adam Le Fondre- 6

Apart from his emphatic penalty take, smashing through Kennedys fingers and into the roof of the net, he wasn’t like his normal self. He looked off the pace, had a couple of attempts at goal but couldn’t connect, which has made him a fierce striker in the A-League. Six goals from six games including tonight’s penalty.

Paulo Retre – 6

Quiet all day, no real impact of note. Sub after being clattered by two CCM players.

SUBS

Cameron Devlin- N/A

Not on long enough to rate.

Luke Ivanovic – 6

18 year-old came on with 15 mins left in the game to impress, over eagerness produced a sloppy tackle.