‘Brave’ tactical switch inspires Mariners to a stoppage-time win thanks to an A-Leagues first

A first ever Isuzu UTE A-League goal for Max Balard in the 93rd minute has led Central Coast Mariners to a dramatic 2-1 win over Melbourne City at Industree Group Stadium.

After creating the better chances in the first half, three-time reigning premiers City made the breakthrough soon after half-time on Tuesday as Tolgay Arslan fire home the opening goal from close range after Max Caputo had robbed Brian Kaltak of the ball.

However City’s lead lasted for just four minutes as Christian Theoharous was brought down inside the penalty box by defender Vicente Fernandez, with forward Angel Torres converting from the spot for his 12th goal of the campaign.

Both sides then had several good chances to find a late winner but just as it looked as though it would finish all square, Balard jinked his way through the City backline before slotting the ball beyond Jamie Young to score his maiden A-Leagues goal in the third minute of stoppage time.

The result pushes second-placed Central Coast back to within three points of league leaders Wellington Phoenix, whom they play this weekend, while defeat means Melbourne City remain four points outside the finals positions.

“We’re really, really delighted with the win,” Mariners boss Mark Jackson told Paramount+ after the game. “I’m proud of the boys for the way they fought in that game, right until the end as well.

“Yes it wasn’t our best performance in the first half and yes we worked on a new shape and that’s quite clear that didn’t pay off in the first half so we made some changes.

“We’re brave enough to do that as a coaching staff, that we know when something’s not going right.

He continued: “We put three subs on at half time, changed it and went for the game. Yes we wen’t one-nil down but we still showed the character to keep fighting and come back. I think we showed right until the end we wanted to go for the three points.”

After what was a relatively cagey start, it was City who came closest to opening the scoring in the 23rd minute.

Caught dawdling on the edge of his own box, Kaltak was dispossessed by Caputo who then laid it off to Arslan, however the midfielder’s low effort flicked off the far post and away to safety.

Mariners keeper Danny Vukovic was then called into action twice in the space of 90 seconds as he first pulled off a smart save to palm away an Arslan free-kick before then denying Caputo after the home side were again caught on the ball in their defensive third.

Seemingly prompted into action, Jackson’s side then fashioned two good chances of their own as Balard was unable to turn home a Storm Roux cross before forward Ryan Edmondson then headed wide of the far post from a corner in the 31st minute.

As creative as ever, City midfielder Arslan then went on a piercing run through the Mariners midfield before picking out Marin Jakolis on the left hand side, however the winger drilled his low effort into the side netting.

The wide man was then guilty of missing a glorious chance on the approach to half time as a ball across the face of goal found its way to the feet of Jakolis, but his shot from inside the six yard box lacked conviction and was deflected round the post via a sprawling save from Vukovic.

The breakthrough eventually came just five minutes into the second half and this time City finally punished more sloppy defending from the home side.

Put under pressure in the Mariners’ left-back area, Kaltak was robbed of possession by the lively Caputo who charged into the area before squaring the ball for Arslan who didn’t miss from inside the six-yard box.

However, City’s joy was short-lived. Brought on as part of a triple change at the break, Theoharous pounced on a poor first touch inside the box from City defender Vicente, who then compounded that mistake by bringing down the winger inside the box, allowing Torres to convert the spot-kick.

With the game now pinging from end to end, City came close to retaking the lead in the 61st minute as Terry Antonis played a pinpoint cross into the path of Jakolis but the winger sent his volley wide of the far post with what would prove to be his final touch of the night.

Coming in place of him was Socceroos winger Marco Tilio and his contribution to the game was to warm the gloves of Vukovic in the 73rd minute with a low effort from inside the box.

Now asking all the questions, City substitute Harry Politidis then stung the gloves of Vukovic, unleashing a fizzing effort from well outside the box which deflected off of Theoharous before being pushed away for a corner.

Theoharous then caused problems at the other end, showing Politidis a clean set of heels before teeing up Doka, however the wing back’s stinging effort was well blocked by Nuno Reis.

Alou Kuol was then inches away from finding the back of the net in spectacular fashion from the resulting corner but his acrobatic back-heel flew narrowly over the bar.

But just when it looked as though both sides would go home unhappy with the draw, Mariners midfielder Balard pulled a rabbit out of a hat.

Receiving the ball from Josh Nisbet on the edge of the box, Balard proceeded to slalom his way past three City defenders before dispatching the ball beyond Young to score his first A-Leagues goal and send the home fans into raptures.