A powerful first half header from Mariners skipper Alex Wilkinson was enough to seal the win for the visitors to Melbourne's new AAMI Park stadium in front of an 11,050 crowd.

The game saw Heart dominate possession for larget parts of the match but they were unable to break down Central Coast's defence to find goal.

But head coach van't Schip found positives from his new side's performance. 

“We started well in the first 15 minutes, but after the goal, we lost confidence. However, the game showed we need to grow as a team,” he said.

“Beauchamp, Terra and Skoko arrived late and are gradually adapting to our game, but as I have said before, it takes time.

“I’m disappointed as we deserved a point, but the Mariners took their chances well and held out at the end.”

 Van ‘t Schip also took an opportunity to praise the strong showing from Melbourne’s sport loving public, saying it bodes well for the future.

He added: “The crowd was amazing this evening, and hopefully our supporter base can grow.

"I would like to thank the fans who came out here tonight as we commenced what will hopefully be a fantastic journey.”

Meanwhile Mariners coach Graham Arnold spoke of his pride in a winning start to his A-League career.

“I was very, very proud of the boys,” he said. “I gave them 9 out of 10 for their defensive work but only 6 out of 10 when we had the ball.
 
“In the first half we did very well, played good football, but didn’t continue it in the second half and gave away the ball a bit too cheaply at times . 

"Even though we looked dangerous on the break at times, I want better with the ball. They can do it, I’ve seen them at training do it, in the trial games we’ve played they’ve done it, and they know it as well, but it was a very positive start.”

Arnold is confident Argentinian playmaker Patricio Perez will be on deck for his Bluetongue Stadium bow against Adelaide United in the first home game of the new campaign next Sunday afternoon.
 
“He probably could have played at a pinch, but Melbourne Heart away, the adrenaline running through the stadium and the players, I wasn’t prepared to risk Patricio tonight, I’d rather keep him for our home supporters at Bluetongue next week,” Arnold said.
 
Alex Wilkinson christened a new venue for the Hyundai A-League ground for the second time, after his first ever goal came at Canberra Stadium as it hosted its maiden match last season.
 
“It doesn’t happen too often, I think that’s two in six years now, which isn’t a great strike rate!” laughed Wilkinson.
 
“We’ve done a lot of work on set pieces both defensively and attacking so it’s great that it paid off, and we defended set pieces against quite well tonight as well.

"They played some great balls into the box and had some big boys attacking them, so I thought it was great by the boys."