Central Coast Mariners are finally off the mark in 2023-24, overcoming a late push from Newcastle Jets to claim F3 Derby honours in a 3-1 win at Industree Group Stadium.
The Mariners led 2-0 after Storm Roux and Will Wilson’s goals on either side of half-time – but while in control of the derby clash, conceded against the run of play to Jets substitute Archie Goodwin to invite a barrage of pressure from the visiting side.
But the Mariners had a weapon of their own to bring off the bench in Jing Reec, who struck the sealing goal home with aplomb in second-half stoppage time to confirm the Mariners’ first win – and first points – of the 2023-24 season.
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Jacob Farrell was superb in the first half, and set the tone in the second minute with a dangerous cross which Jets defender Phillip Cancar diverted out for a corner off the side netting. It was an early warning sign for what was to come as the Mariners dominated the first half.
A Will Wilson header at the back post flashed just past the post in the 12th minute of play, with a sliding Alou Kuol just centimetres away from connecting with the ball for a tap-in from close range.
Central Coast had scored just twice through the opening four rounds of the season and their inefficiency in front of goal continued through the opening stanza.
Josh Nisbet went close from the edge of the area with a curling attempt which skidded off the crossbar, then Marco Tulio, played in on goal by another magnificent piece of play by Farrell, showed a severe lack of confidence with a meek shot in a one-on-one played generously into the arms of Jets keeper Ryan Scott.
But on the stroke of half-time, Roux made the breakthrough. Farrell provided the assist, with a short corner played to the left back who swung the ball to the back post for Roux to volley home with authority.
Mariners winger Angel Torres embodied his club’s relief in that moment, throwing his head back and his arms to the sky, before slumping over as his teammates jetted off in celebration.
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Kuol came close to doubling the lead shortly after the half-time break, wriggling through a number of Newcastle bodies in the box to squeeze a strike on target from a narrow angle. Scott saved the blushes of his defenders with a safe pair of hands.
Nisbet failed to score from a decent chance in the first half – but his contribution to deny Lachlan Bayliss a Jets equaliser down the other end was just as important as a goal. A cross from the left wing fell invitingly to Bayliss on the turn, unmarked at the back post; Nisbet scurried across to lunge in front of the shot and made the block from point-blank range.
Mariners captain Danny Vukovic rushed off his line to embrace the midfielder in a sign of the importance of his defensive act. What happened down the other end just minutes later made the impact of Nisbet’s last-ditch block all the more emphatic as Wilson latched onto a Max Balard through ball to thump the Mariners into a 2-0 lead.
Again, the scenes of celebration were cathartic, as Wilson’s teammates came from far and wide to engulf him on the touchline.
The woodwork deprived Central Coast of a third on the hour, as Tulio’s cross was diverted off the head of Jets attacker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and off the post.
Then came a bolt from the blue; a Jets goal against the run of play, scored by 19-year-old substitute Goodwin just minutes into his first appearance of the campaign.
Goodwin had back surgery in the off-season to address the latest in a string of injuries that have plagued the early career of one of the most talented young Australian strikers of a new generation.
His sixth career goal showed Goodwin’s pure striker’s instincts, as he beat the Mariners’ offside trap, rounding Danny Vukovic to convert from the tight angle.
Hearts went to Mariners mouths with less than 10 minutes to play as a perfectly-placed Thomas Aquilina cross found the head of Jets forward Trent Buhagiar unmarked in the box. Buhagiar’s header let the home side off the hook, drifting wide of the mark.
With time ticking down and the Jets upping the ante, a fast break ended the visitors’ hopes of stealing a point. It was Reec and Tulio combining to put the result beyond doubt, with the latter teeing up the former to score his first A-Leagues goal.
Reec could hardly believe his match-sealing moment had arrived when speaking to Paramont+ post-game; it was a special moment for the Mariners academy product, who returned to the club on loan from Danish club AGF Aarhus ahead of the new season.
Reec joined Aarhus on a five-year deal in 2021 and enjoyed a productive first season in Denmark, but broke a bone in his right foot on the first day of the following pre-season, spending five months on the sidelines.
He’s since returned to Gosford and on Saturday night, came up with his first ever league goal for the Mariners when they needed some breathing room against the Jets.
“Honestly, I can’t really speak still,” Reec said. “I’m still shocked. Everything happened so fast. The season just started, really, for us boys. And scoring my first goal, I’m just buzzing.”
Saturday’s F3 Derby triumph is the first win of Football Manager Mark Jackson’s tenure; the man who replaced Nick Montgomery after last season’s Championship success suffered four defeats from four to start his stint in Gosford, but had the entire international break to work with his charges on turning their fortunes around.
Reec said Jackson’s message has been consistent and clear as he’s attempted to turn the tide.
“He said the same things to us, and the good thing is all the boys (took note) of it: keep pushing. Because we’re all young, of course, and he’s new here as well, but we’re all following the same dream and goal.
“He tells us each day: ‘Work as hard as you can. When you’re at home you can recover. Come back, and same thing’. That mindset is what is helping us. We’re all fighters.
“It’s the best feeling, no other words really. First win – now we’re going to keep striving on and hopefully win from now on, no more losses!”
The talking point
The Mariners were Champions of the Isuzu UTE A-League in 2022-23, but four consecutive losses to start the new season was the joint-longest losing run of any reigning Champion in the competition’s history (Brisbane Roar 2014-15).
Mark Jackson’s side ensured they avoided claiming sole ownership of that record with a win over the Jets.
The star
Jacob Farrell was the star of the show in Gosford on Saturday evening. His presence at left back was felt from minute one to 96, with an assist for Storm Roux’s opening goal just reward for a complete performance.
Farrell could, and perhaps should, have had more assists to his name but for some inaccurate finishing from his attacking teammates, with Marco Tulio’s fluffed attempt in a one-on-one with Ryan Scott in the first half the glaring example after Farrell’s creative through pass which created the chance.
What it means
For the moment, a three-point display sends the Mariners jumping off the foot of the table. Western United play Adelaide United on Sunday, but now sit below Central Coast on goal difference alone with both teams now on three points apiece.
Defeat leaves the Jets lingering just outside the top six on five points. Rob Stanton’s side host reigning Premiers Melbourne City in Round 6 while the Mariners welcome Melbourne Victory to Gosford.
