Hyundai A-League Week 17 (rescheduled fixture)
At Skilled Park, Gold Coast
GOLD COAST UNITED 3 (Harold [pen] 10’, Halloran 17’, Cooper 56’)
CENTRAL COAST MARINERS 3 (Kwasnik 4’/66’, Ibini 59’)
HT: 2-1
Referee: Matt Gillett
GOLD Coast United’s youngsters produced a result few would have predicted by holding ladder leaders Central Coast Mariners to a 3-3 draw at Skilled Park.
It was no less that United deserved after another spirited display that almost delivered one of the shock results of the season so far.
Gold Coast led 3-1 early in the second half and looked good value for their advantage until the table toppers fought back to restore parity ten minutes later.
But the signs were good for Gold Coast who played with energy, pace and no shortage of bravery as they took the game to the Hyundai A-League’s top side in what was a highly entertaining encounter.
At the back Zac Anderson looks to be growing in stature and in the middle of the park Mitch Cooper and Josh Brillante looked more like seasoned pro’s than the teenagers they are.
The match didn’t start too well for United though with the visitors off the mark early thanks to an Adam Kwasnik goal in just the fourth minute. Thomas Rogic’s run down the left and cross into the box looked harmless enough, but a deflection off Zac Anderson laid the chance on a plate for Kwasnik, who reacted quickly to clip the ball past Jerrad Tyson.
United responded well however and almost immediately Kristian Rees steered a header just over after a great delivery into the box from Golgol Mebrahtu.
The lively Mebrahtu was enjoying a bright start to the match and was instrumental in Gold Coast’s 10th minute equaliser. A burst of pace took him into the Mariners’ box and when Rostyn Griffiths felled the United man referee Matt Gillett had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Fellow striker Chris Harold stepped up and converted comfortably to make it 1-1.
Just seven minutes later an increasingly confident Gold Coast had the lead courtesy of a superb individual effort from starlet Ben Halloran. The young forward was just too quick for the Central Coast defence as he took off on a 40-metre run, before crashing the ball past the static Justin Pasfield from just inside the box.
For the remainder of the half the Mariners’ most likely route to goal looked to be through the ever-dangerous Kwasnik, however Jerrad Tyson was equal to both of the forward’s efforts from distance.
United were on fire in the opening stages of the second period and would have increased their lead had it not been for the heroics of Pasfield. The Mariners’ custodian produced two flying saves to spectacularly deny goal-bound efforts from both Mebrahtu and Cooper.
But Cooper wasn’t to be denied his moment in the sun and ten minutes into the half the 17-year-old netted his first Hyundai A-League goal in just his second appearance. Turning expertly in the box, Cooper held off Alex Wilkinson before guiding the ball beyond Pasfield to make it 3-1.
If anything the Gold Coast’s third goal stung the Mariners into action and they soon reduced the deficit courtesy of a thunderous drive from substitute Berni Ibini. The Central Coast striker made space in the box for a shot and smashed the ball past the helpless Tyson.
The visitors had wind in their sails and seven minutes later they were level when Kwasnik sneaked in front of Adama Traore and headed firmly past Tyson to register his second of the game and make it 3-3.
With three minutes remaining a brave aerial challenge by Daniel Bowles was enough to thwart Patrick Zwaanswijk, who headed inches wide when under pressure from the young Gold Coast defender.
Mike Mulvey’s side now have just two days to recover before Harry Kewell and Melbourne Victory roll into town on Saturday night. Kick off is at 6.45pm.
Gold Coast United:
20.Jerrad Tyson [gk], 2.Josh Brillante, 3.Michael Thwaite (c), 4.Zac Anderson, 5.Kristian Rees, 7.Golgol Mebrahtu (16.Maceo Rigters 64’), 14.Ben Halloran, 15.Adama Traore, 17.Chris Harold (21.Daniel Severino 90+1’), 28.Daniel Bowles, 33.Mitch Cooper (11.Jake Barker-Daish 69’).
Unused subs: 40.Chris O’Connor [gk].
Yellow cards: Thwaite 81’, Rigters 83’.
Red cards: None.
Central Coast Mariners:
20.Justin Pasfield [gk], 3.Josh Rose, 4.Pedj Bojic, 6. Patrick Zwaanswijk, 8.Rostyn Griffiths, 10.Adriano Pellegrino (12.Troy Hearfield 75’), 14.Michael McGlinchey, 17.Tomas Rogic, 18.Alex Wilkinson (c), 19.John Sutton (9.Bernie Ibini 55’), 23.Adam Kwasnik.
Unused subs: 31.Brody Crane [gk], 16.Trent Sainsbury.
Yellow cards: Griffiths 28’, Rose 45+1’, Bojic 76’.
Red cards: None.