Teenage striker Bernie Ibini-Isei has given Central Coast their first victory of the new Hyundai A-League season with a 2-1 win over Perth Glory at Bluetongue Stadium.
Teenage striker Bernie Ibini-Isei has given Central Coast their first victory of the new Hyundai A-League season with a 2-1 win over Perth Glory at Bluetongue Stadium.
The Glory were gunning for a record fourth consecutive win and a first-ever victory in Gosford when they travelled east, and the Perth side appeared likely to do so as Travis Dodd nodded them ahead in the sixth minute with his first goal from the club.
The Mariners may have been down but on their home patch they’re never out as Matt Simon fashioned a goal against the run of play in the 27th minute.
And, just on the stroke of half-time, teenage striker Bernie Ibini-Isei showed the class that has made him an Australian Under-20 international as he put his side ahead and secured maximum points for coach Graham Arnold for the first time this campaign.
Having opened with three straight wins, the Glory started the match full of confidence, even if playmaker Andrezinho was left on the bench and replaced by Adam Hughes on the left flank.
However, the Glory made their first forward move down the right as defender Scott Neville sent in a superb cross that allowed Dodd to nod the ball home.
Simon was booked for dissent straight after the goal and probably should have been enjoying an early shower after not being cautioned for an intentional handball soon after.
Despite all the drama, Perth were dominating the encounter as Shane Smeltz forced a smart save from Matt Ryan in the 11th minute before his strike partner Billy Mehmet crashed a stinging shot into the post.
In the 20th minute, Perth suffered a setback when central defender and former Qantas Socceroo Chris Coyne was forced from the pitch with tightness in his groin, replaced by Josh Mitchell.
But Mitchell’s inclusion proved just the break Central Coast needed as his errant pass in the 27th minute was intercepted by Pedj Bojic, whose pass allowed Simon to drive the equaliser home.
And 18 minutes later, the Mariners took the lead through Ibini-Isei during first-half injury time.
Rostyn Griffiths had released Simon whose shot was brilliantly saved by Glory goalkeeper Danny Vukovic.
But the rebound fell to Ibini-Isei , who buried his shot for the second Hyundai A-League goal of his career in his first start.
The second half was a much more dour affair as both sides struggled to create opportunities.
However, Perth blew a great chance when Adam Hughes dragged his shot wide from the square.
And, despite pressing late in the half, the Glory could not find an equaliser as the Mariners held on.
Central Coast 2 (Simon 27, Ibini-isei 45)
Perth Glory 1 (Dodd 6)
Crowd: 6883 at Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
