The Central Coast Mariners are eager to end the Western Sydney Wanderers’ four game winning streak this Sunday at Central Coast Stadium; will you be there to back up Tony Walmsley’s charges? Ticket are selling fast, make sure you pre-purchase to avoid the queues on game day!
CLICK HERE to avoid the queues and purchase your ticket online.
Make sure you get in early to watch the Westfield W-League match between Western Sydney Wanderers & Canberra United. Kick-off 2:15pm.
15 minutes after the full time whistle, fans can also join us for a kick on the hallowed Central Coast Stadium turf.
The Run IN
As mentioned, the Wanderers have claimed maximum points in their last four matches and by November have already equalled their win tally from last season. Their most recent result was a 2-1 win over Wellington Phoenix, with Mark Bridge’s late goal being the difference.
The Mariners meanwhile, are coming off a 2-1 loss to the reigning Champions last Thursday at AAMI Park. With a 10-day turnaround however, the Mariners will have the benefit of fresh legs on Sunday.
Scouting Report
The Wanderers’ new boys seem to be doing the damage this season, with eight of their 10 goals this season coming off the boot of pre-season additions Mitch Nichols (3), Andreu (2), and marquees Federico Piovaccari (2) and Dario Vidosic (1).
Driving the hit men is another new addition in Spanish holding midfielder Dimas, who is averaging 57 passes per game at a decent 84% accuracy.
For the Mariners, Jake McGing is expected to return to his central defensive post, however the absence of Fabio Ferreira and uncertainty of Mitch Austin may lead to a different approach from Walmsley.
With two goals in two weeks, super sub Matt Sim has made a big case for his inclusion whether it be off the bench again or from a starting role.
The Key Questions
- Can the Yellow & Navy bring an end to the Wanderers winning streak and silence a large travelling supporter base?
- Has the 10-day break allowed the Mariners to regroup and energise ahead of a massive NSW derby?
Stats
- Western Sydney forward Federico Piovaccari leads the league in offsides this season with 15.
- The Mariners have made 18-headed shots this season, the most of any side.
- The 11 matches between the two sides have been low scoring affairs, with only 15 goals all up. The Mariners have a slight edge with 8 of those, as well as a Championship.
INsider View – Tony Walmsley
“The Wanderers are in great form, when we look at them as a team from an analysis point of view there aren’t many weaknesses, their confidence is going to be high and they’re very experienced,” Walmsley said.
“We don’t focus on the opposition we focus on what we’re going to do, we prepare the same way, obviously we analyse the opposition to understand what they’re going to do but we don’t change the way we approach the game to suit that.
“We’re a more front foot team, we’re more assertive and we want the Wanderers to deal with what we have to throw at them.
“They present a formidable challenge for us and looking at the way the boys have trained this week it’s one we are really up for.
“We’re definitely going to go for it this week, we will ramp it up probably even further, it’s up to the players now to take the initiative and be really bold individually.
“Taking the field with the right mentality will be key, it’s taken us a little while to get into games at times and we can’t afford that now, we’re at home with a big crowd and we’re ready for this.
“We’ve scored in every game, not since the first round when we scored 3 have we been as prolific but we’ve created chances.
“’Heff’ has scored three hat tricks for the club, twice in pre-season and now once for the Youth team, we know he can score goals, a great finisher. I would say if Heff gets picked in the first 11 he won’t give that spot away so easy and I hope he gets a chance because if he gets a sight on goal he doesn’t miss many.
Last time we met – Hyundai A-League 2014/15 Round 25, CCM 1 WSW 0 at Central Coast Stadium
In our last home game of 2014/15, an early Josh Rose goal was all that was needed to claim the result for the Mariners. The match produced plenty of chances thereafter, however none were able to hit the back of the net and it finished 1-0.
We also encountered the Wanderers in a pre-season hit-out in August in Coffs Harbour. Then on trial, Dan Heffernan made a name for himself with a hat-trick and made his signature an offer to good to refuse for Tony Walmsley.
Match details
Sunday November 29 2015
Match: Central Coast Mariners vs. Western Sydney Wanderers
Venue: Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Gates open: 1:45pm
Kick-off: 5:00pm (AEDT)
Tickets: CLICK HERE
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 505
Radio Broadcast: 96.3 Coast FM
Twitter: Join the match conversation using #CCMvWSW & #CCMFC
