Central Coast Mariners got their 2026 off to a flying start with a dominant win against top six contenders Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium.
Central Coast Mariners sought to expose Adelaide’s inexperienced defenders with real attacking intent early on, and were quickly rewarded with a penalty when Adelaide defender Vinko Stanišić was judged to have handled the ball inside the box on VAR review.
Northern Irish midfielder Alfie McCalmont converted the spot kick to make it 1-0 after just seven minutes.
It looked like Adelaide were certain to equalise when Craig Goodwin shaped to shoot at the end on of an incisive run from the left, however Haine Eames planted himself on the goal line to block the shot and keep the Mariners in front.
Moments after Eames’ defensive heroics, Miguel Di Pizio played Sabit Ngor in behind the Adelaide defenders where he was able to make it 2-0.
Two became three within seconds of the restart when Juan Muñiz’s pass was intercepted by Bailey Brandtman who held off the closing Adelaide defenders on his way to scoring his second goal of the season.
Central Coast extended their lead after half time through Miguel Di Pizio, the young forward being found by Brandtman with the outside of his boot before finishing his shot off the crossbar.
Adelaide began to show more creativity in attack as the second half went on, but they still weren’t able to produce a goal.
The 4-0 victory produced a personal milestone for goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne, his 70th career Isuzu UTE A-League clean sheet.
