LAST weekend’s sensational derby victory over Sydney FC has set up a real blockbuster against Melbourne Heart at Bluetongue Stadium tomorrow night.
LAST weekend-s sensational derby victory over Sydney FC has set up a real blockbuster against Melbourne Heart at Bluetongue Stadium tomorrow night.
Two teams going head-to-head following crucial away wins – the Mariners over Sydney FC and Heart over Gold Coast on the Glitter Strip.
All the portents are there for a cracker of a game and with us sitting second on the table the playing group enter this clash full of confidence but also well aware our best is yet to come.
We have said from day one we are building for the bigger picture this season – a top six spot, a tilt at the finals and a competitive Asian Champions League campaign.
The performance in Sydney last weekend had a good look about it. Our defensive structure – as always – was good. But it was our attacking structure, decision-making, movement on and off the ball and execution in the top third that were the big improvements from the previous weekend-s scoreless draw against Melbourne Victory.
Big Dutchman Patrick Zwaanswijk scored a rocket of a free-kick to set us on our way and Michael McGlinchey and Troy Hearfield finished the job – all three goals proof that working on things on the training pitch pay dividends on game day more often than not.
Head coach Graham Arnold has put a big emphasis on set pieces and crossing and finishing over the past few weeks so to see a free-kick go in and then two goals from crosses – one from outside the box and one from inside (after great lead-up work from Matty Simon) – was just reward.
Melbourne Heart will be a stern test indeed tomorrow night but week by week we are finding our feet and the players continue to see their hard work transform into results.
Don-t miss this one at Fortress Bluetongue! Kick-off is 5.30pm.
The Moss Pit appears each Friday in the Central Coast Express Advocate.
Match Details
Central Coast Mariners vs. Melbourne Heart
Saturday 26 November, 2011
Kick-off: 5:30pm
Tickets: Please CLICK HERE to purchase tickets to the match.
