Central Coast hero Matt Sim says his injury-time goal was reward for the Mariners’ never-say-die attitude in Saturday’s exciting 1-1 draw with Newcastle at Hunter Stadium.
Sim, an 80th minute substitute, found himself with space in the box to slide home a dramatic equaliser in the 93rd minute at Hunter Stadium.
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It was his first Hyundai A-League goal (though he’s scored in the Westfield FFA Cup) and he couldn’t be happier after the Mariners had the better of the contest despite going down to 10 men from the 24th minute.
“The boys put in a shift today. It was tough when Jakey boy [Jake McGing] got sent off but that’s what we’re about here, sticking together,” he told ABC Grandstand.
“These things happen in football and you’ve got to dig in and it’s a great feeling. Not only to score but to score in the derby to equalise.”
Minutes earlier Milos Trifunovic headed home what appeared to be the winner for the Jets against the 10-man visitors.
But it wasn’t to be and the Mariners got their reward for a game in which they dominated.
“For years, this club’s been built on a strong culture and you can see it was evident out there today,” Sim added.
“To be able to fight back like we did after going a goal down that knocked the wind out of us.
“It showed what we’re about. And our fans were superb today. They were loud and kept us in it.”
