Matchweek 2 preview: Macarthur FC v Central Coast Mariners

After their respective fast starts, Macarthur FC and Central Coast Mariners meet on Sunday afternoon with both sides intent on registering consecutive wins to begin the A-League campaign.

The Bulls wasted no time in announcing themselves to the league with a 1-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers in Matchweek 1, a result decided by a goal to captain Mark Milligan, who deflected a free-kick off the boot of Macarthur’s Spanish technician Beñat Etxebarria into the back of the net.

The slender victory was matched in Gosford by the Mariners, who clinched all three points in an F3 Derby clash with Newcastle Jets after teenage prospect Alou Kuol netted in the first half.

The result extended the Mariners’ unbeaten run in the A-League to four matches, after recording two draws and a win to round out the 2019/20 campaign; these results followed an 11-game losing streak which began on January 19, 2020.

The uplift in form on either side of the off-season break may suggest the Mariners are about to turn a corner in the new year, but a third successive A-League win won’t come easy as Alen Stajcic takes his side to face off against the Bulls – led by fellow former Westfield Matildas Head Coach Ante Milicic.

Macarthur’s first A-League hit-out offered plenty of encouragement for what’s to come as their inaugural season progresses, with a win and a clean sheet complimenting the inclusion of three Macarthur players in the A-League Team of the Week, presented by Bunnings Warehouse.

https://twitter.com/ALeague/status/1345207866282524674/photo/1

Goalkeeper Adam Federici, defender Ivan Franjic and Milligan all made the 11, whilst teenage sensation Lachlan Rose got plenty of people talking with an eye-catching display on debut in the league.

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Match details

Sunday, 3 January 2021
Kick-off: 4.05pm AEDT
Venue: Campbelltown Sports Stadium
Broadcast: FOX Sports 505
Stream: MyFootball Live App, Kayo Sports