A three-goal blitz in 13 first-half minutes has propelled Central Coast to an easy 4-1 home win over struggling Brisbane Roar and up to third on the Isuzu UTE A League table.
After an ordinary run of form in which they won just one of their previous five matches, the fast-starting Mariners surged into a three-goal lead by the half-hour mark.
The victory in Gosford lifted Mariners level on points and goal difference with Western Sydney, but they moved above the Wanderers by virtue of having scored more goals across the season.
Central Coast could have won by an even bigger margin but wasted some good opportunities with poor control and options.
The Roar showed some fight in the final quarter of the game and only had one less shot than the home team.
“I think we could have been a little bit more ruthless,” Mariners coach Nick Montgomery told Paramount Plus.
“We lost our composure towards the end but to be fair Brisbane threw everything at us and disappointed we conceded that goal.
“But really happy with the three points and we know we can be better as well.”
Brazilian Marco Tulio opened the scoring from close range in the 15th minute, after Brisbane goalkeeper Jordan Holmes pushed a Jason Cummings shot into his path.
Midfielder Josh Nisbet scored just his second goal in close to 90 ALM appearances when he powered the ball home two minutes later after his initial shot had been blocked .
Brisbane’s plight deepened in the 30th minute when a header from midfielder Max Balard crashed off the underside of the bar, with the ball appearing to come off Brisbane goalkeeper Jordan Holmes before crossing the line.
Socceroo striker Cummings scored the fourth from the penalty spot just before the hour after the ball struck the arm of Roar defender Jordan Courtney-Perkins.
It was the 15th goal of the season for the Mariners striker.
Brisbane pulled a goal back from the penalty spot In the 82nd minute after referee Daniel Elder watched a replay that showed Brian Kaltak had handled In the area.
Jay O’Shea marked his 100th ALM appearance by converting the penalty and it was the fourth straight game in which the Irish midfielder had scored.
Brisbane, who entered the round having conceded the joint second-lowest goals this season, remained bottom, though they still have a chance of making the finals.
“It just felt like they got into our box a little bit too easy and we dropped off far too much at times,” Roar coach Nick Green said.
“Their (first-half) goals were really disappointing because we had opportunities to clear the ball and we didn’t do that.
“The second half was a little bit better.”
