Central Coast striker Dylan Macallister capped his first start of the Hyundai A-League season with a well-taken winner as the Mariners beat Newcastle 1-0 in Gosford on Saturday night.
Macallister has been used as a substitute throughout the campaign but highlighted his credentials with the winner in the 33rd minute at Bluetongue Stadium.
Strike partner Matt Simon created the goal with a great run and cross. Macallister picked up the ball inside the box and turned, beating three defenders, before scoring his third goal of the season.
The Mariners deserved the one-goal advantage at half-time. Five days after turning in a shocker at home against Wellington, the Mariners had much more spark and looked more resilient at the back and it was only the second time this season the Mariners have kept a clean sheet.
Macallister had several close calls, while Sasho Petrovski was causing the Jets defence plenty of dramas in the first half.
Newcastle rarely threatened Danny Vukovic’s goal before the break. A Jesper Hakansson cross went close to going in after 18 minutes but apart from that, the Mariners looked solid at the back.
Neither goalkeeper was busy in the second half. Ante Covic watched a powerful Petrovski shot slide wide after 54 minutes while at the other end, Mariner Brad Porter nearly headed into his own net following a well placed Joel Griffiths shot in the 64th minute.
Newcastle’s best chance to equalise fell to defender Jobe Wheelhouse with six minutes to play.
Wheelhouse was free in the Mariners box but his shot did not trouble Vukovic.
The Mariners will be delighted with the performance, especially when it was achieved without influential midfielder Mile Jedinak who was ruled out hours before the match with a groin strain.
The biggest positive on what was a disappointing night for the Jets was the performance of short term signing Mark Milligan.
The Olyroo captain looked solid before being replaced in the 61st minute.
Central Coast 1 (Dylan Macallister 33′)
Newcastle 0
Crowd: 10,710
