Central Coast Mariners have kept touch with the Hyundai A-League top six with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Adelaide United at Canberra’s Gio Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
In a match played in stifling conditions in the nation’s capital, an error from Adelaide’s substitute keeper John Hall gifted Central Coast the opener with Fabio Ferreira netting eight minutes before the interval.
Adelaide worked their way into the contest and were unfortunate not to level proceedings with Mariners keeper Paul Izzo forced to make three classy stops either side of half-time to keep the hosts ahead.
And their profligacy proved costly with Mariners substitute Kwabena Appiah sealing the result with just over 10 minutes remaining with a well-taken finish.
Central Coast spurned two glorious chances to extend their advantage in the final stages before Adelaide youngster Jordan O’Doherty grabbed a consolation in stoppage time with a lovely strike from outside the area.
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GOALS
1-0: Central Coast Mariners: Fabio Ferreira, 37’
Trent Buhagiar caught back-up Reds keeper John Hall out of position in the box before the ball found its way to Ferreira on the edge of the area, with the Portuguese winger volleying home with Hall unable to recover.
2-0: Central Coast Mariners: Kwabena Appiah, 78’
Substitute Josh Bingham was played in behind with his shot saved by John Hall before the rebound fell kindly for Appiah, with the winger firing a first-time shot into the back of the net.
2-1: Adelaide United, Jordan O’Doherty, 90’+2
O’Doherty found space on the edge of the area before curling a superb strike into the top corner, leaving Paul Izzo with no chance.
INJURY WARD
Adelaide goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic was forced off on the half hour mark with what appeared to be a serious shoulder problem.
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