City edge Mariners in pre-season friendly

Melbourne City have emerged with a 3-2 win over Central Coast Mariners in an entertaining Hyundai A-League pre-season friendly behind closed doors in Melbourne on Wednesday.

Youngster Daniel Arzani, nick Fitzgerald and Uruguayan star Bruno Fornaroli scored City’s goals while Andrew Hoole finished with a brace for the visitors.

STORY OF THE GAME

*The match was played in a modified time format in thirds, with the first period 45 minutes, followed by two 30-minute periods.

*Each time City scored their first two goals, the Mariners hit back soon after through in-form new recruit Andrew Hoole.

*The Mariners had a chance to snatch a draw late in the second period, only for Hoole to slam his penalty into the crossbar.

GOALS

1-0 City – Arzani 11’

Fitzgerald clipped a dangerous through ball for Arzani to chase and while Mariners keeper Ben Kennedy got their first, he fumbled the ball into the youngster’s path and he tapped into and open net.

1-1 Mariners – Hoole 23’

Liam Rose’s defence-splitting pass found Hoole in acres of space and he made no mistake with the finish slotting low past Dean Bouzanis’ outstretched left foot.

2-1 City – Fitzgerald 53’

Fornaroli and Fitzgerald combined with the latter performing a trademark cut onto his left foot before finishing at the far post.

2-2 Mariners – Hoole 55’

A cynical foul on Josh Bingham by Osama Malik on the edge of the area opened the door for Hoole to show his set piece ability, with his powerful strike beating Bouzanis in the bottom corner.

3-2 City – Fornaroli 61’

Scott Jamieson’s quick free-kick played Fornaroli through with two defenders to beat and he teased his way past both before finishing with aplomb past Tom Glover.

Click here for City’s official website

Head here for the Mariners’ official site

TEAMS:

Melbourne City
Starting lineup: 1.Dean BOUZANIS, 2.Manny MUSCAT, 3.Scott JAMIESON, 6.Osama MALIK, 7.Nick FITZGERALD, 8.Neil KILKENNY, 11.Bruce KAMAU, 14.Daniel ARZANI, 21.Ruon TONGYIK, 23.Bruno FORNAROLI, 26.Luke BRATTAN

Bench: 18.Yaren SOZER, 12.Braedyn CROWLEY, 15.Denis GENREAU, 17.Tim CAHILL, 32.Christian CAVALLO, 35.Ramy NAJJARINE, 36.Dylan PIERIAS, 37.Nathaniel ATKINSON

Central Coast Mariners
Starting lineup: 1.Ben KENNEDY, 3.Josh ROSE, 5.Anthony GOLEC, 15.Alan BARO, 4.Jake MCGING, 6.Tom HIARIEJ, 16.Liam ROSE, 7.Andrew HOOLE, 12.Trent BUHAGIAR, 11. Connor PAIN, 17.Josh BINGHAM

Bench: 20.Tom GLOVER, 13.Kwabenea APPIAH, 23.Wout BRAMA, 21.Kai ROWLES, 8.Michael STOJANOVSKI, 10.Daniel DE SILVA, 14.Adam BERRY, 2.Storm ROUX