Socceroo Andrew Redmayne was the star of the show at polytec Stadium as the 36-year-old produced a string of stunning saves to help Central Coast draw 1-1 with Wellington Phoenix.
The Mariners had the ball in the Phoenix net inside the opening minute of the game, but Ryan Edmondson’s strike was ruled out for offside, and the visitors then pounced at the other end; Nigerian striker Ifeanyi Eze was in the right place at the right time to tap home from close range after Redmayne could only parry Fin Roa Conchie’s initial effort.
Hideki Ishige then rattled the post in the 8th minute with a brilliant free-kick but his afternoon was soon over, with the Japanese attacker appearing to suffer a serious knee injury in the 15th minute before being substituted in favour of debutant Anaru Cassidy.
Wellington had a plethora of chances in the first half with Carlo Armiento denied by an excellent save from Redmayne while Eze also saw two good chances go begging.
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Outplayed in the first half, the Mariners came flying out of the blocks in the second and were soon level; winger Sabit Ngor firing home his first goal in more than a year after lashing the ball beyond Phoenix keeper Josh Oluwayemi in the 52nd minute.
Mariners shot-stopper Redmayne then rolled back the years, producing a string of top-class saves to deny the likes of Armiento and Eze from restoring Wellington’s lead as the game flew from end to end at polytec Stadium.
The home side looked the more threatening as the clock wound down in Gosford but couldn’t find a a killer edge when through on goal.
The result means the Mariners now have four points to their name after three rounds, whilst Wellington Phoenix remain unbeaten this season with two draws and a win.
CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL THE STATS FROM THIS GAME IN THE OFFICIAL MATCH CENTRE
Match highlights
Wellington Phoenix striker Ifeanyi Eze scored his second goal of the season, slotting home from close range in just the fourth minute.
Mariners winger Sabit Ngor levels things up at polytec Stadium with his first goal in over a year.
What they said
Central midfielder Harrison Steele was involved in plenty of flash points during his side’s 1-1 draw with Wellington Phoenix on Sunday afternoon.
The Mariners midfielder spoke to Paramount+ after the final whistle.
