Central Coast Mariners let slip a golden opportunity to kick off the John Hutchinson era in style, drawing 2-2 with rivals Newcastle Jets in the F3 derby.
With the score level at one apiece, Oli Lavale looked poised to be the F3 derby hero on Saturday night after converting a penalty kick in the 60th minute at Polytec Stadium.
But Lavale’s dream start to the A-League Men season turned sour in the 78th minute when the 21-year-old striker failed to clear a corner kick and instead nudged it into the Mariners’ net, despite the best attempts of goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne to keep it out.
Ali Auglah had converted the first of two Mariners penalties in the 11th minute to get the hosts going, before Jets recruit Patrick Wood equalised in the 49th.
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Much-loved club legend Hutchinson at least avoids opening his ALM account with a defeat as he attempts to guide the Mariners back to the top of the table.
“We’ve got a good foundation there from today,” Hutchinson said.
“Something we’ve been working really hard on … is their belief in possession.
“I want to make them grow and believe in possession, but yeah, they get a massive pass mark today.”
Newcastle got their premiership defence underway after 13 players left in the off-season, among them star striker Lachie Rose (Dundee United), Clayton Taylor (Barnsley) and Eli Adams (Gamba Osaka).
They had the better of possession, but it was Central Coast who were braver with their chances.
Jets coach Mark Milligan admits his side weren’t daring enough in attack.
“At the end of the day, I don’t think we created enough to go and win,” he said.
“Probably more frustratingly, we allowed them to get into areas where they have the opportunity to win penalties.
“On both occasions, we had multiple opportunities to stop it before it got to that point.”
Up next for the Mariners is an away trip to Wellington to face the Phoenix at Hnry Stadium on Sunday, October 25.
As for the Jets, Milligan’s defending Premiers will launch their home campaign at McDonald Jones Stadium against Macarthur Bulls next Saturday.
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