Central Coast Mariners have climbed to third spot on the Hyundai A-League 2013/14 ladder following a 0-0 draw in their round 13 clash with Melbourne Heart at Bluetongue Stadium on Sunday evening.
Central Coast Mariners have climbed to third spot on the Hyundai A-League 2013/14 ladder following a 0-0 draw in their round 13 clash with Melbourne Heart at Bluetongue Stadium on Sunday evening.
John van-t Schip-s men started the match the brighter of the two sides and had a few chances to open their account early on, however wayward finishing ultimately frustrated the red and whites.
Five minutes in Heart midfielder Iain Ramsay tried his luck from outside the area, however he fired his shot well over the woodwork.
Maltese striker Michael Mifsud came close to opening the scoring for the visitors in the 14th minute after linking with a Harry Kewell pass, however his shot slammed the left post.
Heart continued to press and were handed another good opportunity to find the net shortly after as midfielder Mate Dugandzic provided a lovely pass to Ramsay, who sent his strike sailing over the bar.
The Mariners- first chance of the evening fell to New Zealand international Storm Roux in the 28th minute as he struck his shot on goal from outside the box. Former Central Coast gloveman Andrew Redmayne dropped low to deny the Cape Town-born youngster.
Melbourne defender Patrick Gerhardt had an opportunity to break the deadlock just after the break as he lined up an effort from range. The Liberian international failed to trouble Mariners shot stopper Liam Reddy, with the effort flying over the bar.
The yellow and navy came close to opening their account in the 62nd minute as former Socceroo Mile Sterjovski fired a pinpoint cross to Nick Montgomery. The former Sheffield United midfielder leapt to meet Sterjovski-s cross, but his low header whizzed past the post.
Central Coast Mariners boss Moss introduced fan favourite Matt Simon to the match with 25 minutes left to play, in the hope that the former East Gosford Rams man could help spark some chances for the yellow and navy.
Indeed, Simon was involved in a superb Central Coast move shortly after coming on, with the attack ending with left back Joshua Rose lifting an effort from a good area over the woodwork.
Socceroo Mitchell Duke made space for himself with just two minutes of normal time remaining, before lashing an effort at goal. Unfortunately for the 8,062 faithful inside Bluetongue Stadium, Duke-s powerful strike just missed the target.
While his side didn-t claim the win they were after against the competition-s tenth placed team, Mariners boss Moss said he was satisfied that his team kept a clean sheet against an opposition he believes will begin to trouble other Hyundai A-League outfits.
“We pride ourselves on winning our home games and we came up a bit short today,” Moss said post-match.
“We had three great chances, so it could well have worked out (differently).”
“The positive is that we kept a clean sheet and that we created enough chances to win the game.”
“Seven weeks ago if you said we-d be in third spot in the first week of the New Year I would have ripped your arm off and ran a mile.”
“We-re very happy with where we are sitting, but it-s a log-jam and one results either way at the moment can make a big difference, so we-re not getting carried away with the ladder position.”
Moss also confirmed he will be looking at brining in new signings soon following long term injuries to Marcos Flores, Adam Kwasnik and Michael Neill, as well as Michael McGlinchey departing on loan to J.League outfit Vegalta Sendai.
Moss said the signings may come from rival Hyundai A-League sides, internationally, or from the Club-s youth system.
Central Coast Mariners will play their next Hyundai A-League 2013/14 match away to Wellington Phoenix on Sunday 12 January, 2014.
The Club’s next Hyundai A-League home fixture is on Saturday 25 January, 2014 against local rivals Newcastle Jets.
Central Coast Mariners 0
Melbourne Heart 0
Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
Central Coast Mariners FC: 12. Liam REDDY (Gk), 2. Daniel MCBREEN, 3. Joshua ROSE, 5. Zachary ANDERSON, 7. John HUTCHINSON (C), 8. Nick MONTGOMERY (17. Anthony CACERES 78-), 9. Mitchell DUKE, 11. Nick FITZGERALD, 15. Storm ROUX, 16. Trent SAINSBURY, 21. Mile STERJOVSKI (19. Matt SIMON 65-)
Substitutes not used: 1. Justin PASFIELD (Gk), 4. Marcel SEIP, 6. Brent GRIFFITHS
Yellow cards: McBreen
Red cards: Nil
Melbourne Heart FC: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (Gk), 3. Robbie WIELAERT, 6. Patrick GERHARDT, 7. Iain RAMSAY (21. Stefan MAUK 77-), 8. Massimo MURDOCCA, 10. Harry KEWELL (C), 11. Michael MIFSUD, 16. Aziz BEHICH (24. Patrick KISNORBO 90-), 17. Jason HOFFMAN, 22. Nicholas KALMAR, 23. Mate DUGANDZIC (15. David WILLIAMS 68-)
Substitutes not used: 20. Tando VELAPHI (Gk), 25. Andrea MIGLIORINI
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil
Referee: Jarred Gillett
Attendance: 8,062
