In this week’s Match of the round, we travel to Etihad Stadium, where Melbourne lost both a match, and their epic pride, going down 4-0 in front of 18,000 fans. A quiet first half and start of the second was ignited by a rampant Central Coast side.
Ernie Merrick left his side unchanged for his side’s clash with Central Coast, the standout being Carlos Hernandez, who is in blistering form for the Victory. Unfortunantely for Hernandez, he was left out of Costa Rica’s side to face Uruguay. Thompson’s history tells us he has scored 9 goals in 10 matches against Central Coast, and today broke the club’s appearance record, and is joint holders of this record with Danny Allsopp.
The Mariners on the other hand making three changes, Matt Crowell is suspended with Chris Doig and Michael McGlinchey both injured. Boogard moves into Central defence, with 19 year old Matthew Lewis making his first A-League start. Brad Porter moves into right back, with Nicky Travis moving into a more playmaking role.
The first goal came for Central Coast on the 15th minute, when Travis’ shot was deflected by Moss, before being knocked in spectacular fashion by Adam Kwasnik, with his 2nd goal in 3 games. Kwasnik picked up a knock in the process however it would have been no doubt worth it, shooshing the home crowd in the 15th minute.
Simon then added to their tally long after on the 75th minute, from a corner. Nicky Travis once again had a hand in the goal, with a pin-point corner. Simon’s brilliant header took a deflection off Vargas’ shoulder, to make the game 2-0.
Just 5 minutes later, Hutchinson’s great run ended with a great inside ball to Heffernan, who slotted it between Moss’ legs. The score was slowly header to an embarassing level. The goal has to be credited to Hutchinson, whose committed tackle inside the Melbourne half sparked the counter.
On the 83rd, Nicky Mrdja converted a scramble in the box, to continue a terrible error riddled day for Glen Moss. Clark smartly prevented the ball from crossing the line, before Mrdja smashed into the back of the net.
At the end of that match, this was Melbourne’s worst ever home defeated, as well as of this match, they have conceded 16 at home, the worst record for any A-League club.
Match Details
Central Coast Mariners 20. Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 4. Pedj BOJIC, 5. Brad PORTER, 7. John HUTCHINSON, 8. Dean HEFFERNAN, 12. Matthew LEWIS (25. Ahmad ELRICH 64’), 16. Nigel BOOGAARD, 18. Alex WILKINSON (c), 19. Matt SIMON (15. Andrew CLARK 81’), 22. Nicky TRAVIS, 23. Adam KWASNIK (9. Nik MRDJA 60’).
Unused Subs 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (gk).
Yellow Cards Boogaard 46’, Travis 88′
Red Cards None
Goals Kwasnik 16’, Vargas 76′, Heffernan 80’, Mrdja 84’
Melbourne Victory 20. Glen MOSS (gk), 2. Kevin MUSCAT (c), 3. Mate DUGANDZIC (13. Nathan ELASI 63’), 6. Leigh BROXHAM (5. Surat SUKHA 46’), 7. Matthew KEMP, 8. Grant BREBNER, 10. Archie THOMPSON, 12. Rodrigo VARGAS, 16. Carlos HERNANDEZ, 23. Adrian LEIJER, 27. Sutee SUKSOMIT (11. Ney FABIANO 57’).
Unused Subs 1. Mitchell LANGERAK (gk)
Yellow Cards Brebner 45+3′
Red Cards None
Goals None
Referee Strebre DELOVSKI
Crowd 18,531
A-League Table
| P | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sydney FC | 14 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 19 | 12 | 37+7 | 25 |
| 2 | Melbourne Victory | 14 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 22 | 22 | 300 | 24 |
| 3 | Gold Coast United | 14 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 20 | 20 | 300 | 23 |
| 4 | Central Coast Mariners | 14 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 17 | 8 | 39+9 | 20 |
| 5 | Perth Glory | 14 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 19 | 18 | 31+1 | 18 |
| 6 | Wellington Phoenix | 14 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 20 | 15 | 35+5 | 17 |
| 7 | Brisbane Roar | 14 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 18 | 21 | 27−3 | 16 |
| 8 | Adelaide United | 14 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 12 | 17 | 25−5 | 16 |
| 9 | Newcastle Jets | 14 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 14 | 21 | 23−7 | 16 |
| 10 | North Queensland Fury | 14 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 15 | 22 | 23−7 | 15 |
Adelaide United 0 – 2 Brisbane Roar
Gold Coast United 0 – 1 Sydney FC
Wellington Phoenix 1 – 1 Perth Glory
Newcastle Jets 2 – 0 North Queensland Fury
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