The most notable moments of the first half-hour were Kwame Yeboah’s forced withdrawal with a groin injury, and Daniel Garb pointing out that Thai Airways hoardings had been removed in solidarity with Hakeem Al-Araibi.

Oriol Riera missed a sitter on the stroke of halftime, heading into the post from point-blank range with the goal gaping. But the ball was only half-cleared to Tarek Elrich, and the full-back’s in-swinging cross bounced in the six-yard box and went straight in off the post, without a touch on the way.

The fortuitous opening goal was a blessing for Western Sydney, who now had the luxury of picking off the previously stubborn Mariners on the break. Jaushua Sotirio did just that in the 77th minute, running onto a Roly Bonevacia through ball and nudging the ball past the onrushing Ben Kennedy.

While far from a complete performance, Markus Babbel will be thrilled with a rare clean sheet. Mike Mulvey, on the other hand, has tried just about everything this season to little reward, and the limp manner of the defeat was a demoralising one for the Mariners faithful.

WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS

Vedran Janjetovic - 7

Shanked a clearance early on and seemed nervous after his poor run of form. Attempted to release Russell with a throw early in the second half but put too much on it, leading to a dangerous turnover.

Janjetovic redeemed himself by saving well from Millar, but he’d brought the pressure on himself. Drew ironic cheers from the home crowd when he let a loose ball dribble out for a goal kick – despite keeping a clean sheet, his relationship with the Wanderers fan base remains fractured.

Tate Russell – 7.5

Another solid performance by the youngster, who didn’t give Connor Pain much change down his flank. Didn’t show a great deal in attack, but his coach will be pleased with his diligent defensive display.

Tas Mourdoukoutas – 7.5

Not the most formidable attack he will face in the A-League, but the Wanderers youth product was a key contributor to a rare clean sheet at Spotless.

Brendan Hamill – 7

Booked for a rugby tackle on Hiariej, but the captain learned his lesson and didn’t get caught up field again. Won plenty in the air, but without Matt Simon, the Mariners didn’t have the cavalry to challenge in that department.

Tarek Elrich – 7.5

Opened the scoring with a fluke cross that went all the way in. Wrong-footed by Millar’s body feint minutes beforehand, but overall this was one of his better displays. Not too adventurous going forward, but that was clearly not Babbel’s focus in this fixture.

Keanu Baccus - 7

Frustratingly poor distribution in the first half, as Western Sydney looked disjointed in attack. Fared better in the second, facing milder temperatures and a Mariners side that had to attack and look for an equaliser.

Jordan O'Doherty - 7.5

Got through a power of work in both halves before being substituted. His passing was hit and miss, but the pressure he applied when the Wanderers turned the ball over was fantastic.

Jaushua Sotirio – 7.5

Burned a few defenders with his pace, but his positioning and movement still needs work. Timed his run well off the shoulder to collect Bonevacia’s pass, and coolly slotted past Kennedy to make it 2-0.

Kwame Yeboah – 6

Looked the Wanderers’ most positive outlet in a frankly dire opening 20 minutes. Substituted midway through the first half with a groin injury, and his tears on the bench indicated it could well be a serious setback.

Roly Bonevacia – 7

Fired wide early in the game, but looked less effective when he was forced to move centrally following Yeboah’s injury-enforced withdrawal. Came up with a perfectly-weighted through ball on the counter attack to send Sotirio in on goal for 2-0. Should have made it three late on when the Mariners gave him way too much space on the edge of the area.

Oriol Riera – 5

Tested Kennedy with a header from a set piece before missing an absolute sitter, hammering a header against the back post with the goal at his mercy. He would’ve been a relieved man to see Elrich’s cross fly in just moments later.

Substituted on 70 minutes, Riera simply isn’t providing the same threat as he once did,

SUBS

Bruce Kamau – 4

Had over an hour off the bench to make an impact, but one hardly noticed he was on the pitch.

Mitch Duke – 7

Added some poise and intelligent movement to the Western Sydney attack when he came off the bench. His years in the J-League have clearly made him a smarter and more tactically aware footballer. It can’t be long before he makes his starting debut.

Rashid Mahazi – N/A

Came on too late to earn a rating.

CENTRAL COAST MARINERS

Ben Kennedy – 6

Got down well to his left to deny Riera’s header. Left for dead by his central defenders for Elrich’s freak goal, as the Mariners let the ball bounce in their own six yard box – but he’ll also be disappointed he let it in. No chance for the second goal as Sotirio picked out the corner.

Matt Millar – 7

Didn’t get forward with his regular vigour, but his forays were noticeably effective. Took on Elrich and teed up Murray towards the end of the first half, but his striker shot straight at Janjetovic. Had the Mariners’ best chance with an awkward volley, but Janjetovic was able to tip it over the crossbar. Sacrificed for Mallon as Mulvey chased the game.

Sam Graham – 7

The newly-arrived loanee looked comfortable on debut, giving Riera plenty of close physical attention whenever the Spaniard was near.

Jonathan Aspropotamitis – 6

Copped a bloody knock to the head from Riera in the first half, and returned with a Terry Butcher-style bandage for the rest of the game. Captaining the side at his tender age shows how highly Mulvey rates him, and has done well to return from a serious injury, but still needs to work on his positioning in the heart of the back three, and was caught out by Sotirio for the second goal.

Kye Rowles – 5

Done by the pace of Sotirio a couple of times in the first half, and should have done more to get his head on Elrich’s cross-cum-shot which ended up in the net. Has been a weak point for the Mariners in multiple games this season.

Connor Pain – 6

Doesn’t look completely at home as a wing back yet, but he has the down-the-line pace and directness to make it work. Didn’t get the better of Russell very often, and the Mariners forwards were starved of service.

Aiden O'Neill – 6

Protected his backline well in the first half, but the game changed when they conceded, and the Mariners midfield couldn’t really change gears.

Jem Karacan – 6.5

Clearly has the pedigree to succeed in the A-League, but the reactive way in which the Mariners set up has a limiting effect on his influence. Screened the defence effectively but couldn’t provide a creative spark in the second half.

Tom Hiariej - 6

A couple of nice touches in the first half, and was cynically fouled by Hamill when he turned the Wanderers captain in transition. Nothing of real substance, however, and was substituted at halftime.

Andrew Hoole – 5

Struck a signature free kick narrowly wide on the hour mark. Hoole tends to have two or three great games per season. This was not one of them.

Jordan Murray – 5.5

Copped an earful from Hoole for not dishing the ball off late in the first half, but the former APIA man had every right to turn and shoot from that range.

Murray was devastating in the NSW NPL last season, but one wonders if the dysfunctional Mariners are the team to get the best out of him at A-League level. Looked forlorn and isolated for much of the contest.

SUBS

Tommy Oar - 6

Had a couple of bright moments immediately following his halftime introduction, but his influence faded. What a disappointing signing he’s been on the Central Coast, given the fanfare that accompanied his arrival.

Stephen Mallon – 5

We didn’t see any of the Sheffield United winger’s much-vaunted pace. His most memorable contribution was a foul-mouthed spray at the referee.