Matt Simon scored twice to lead Central Coast Mariners to a rare 3-1 win over Western Sydney Wanderers in Gosford on Saturday night.
The Mariners skipper netted from a free-kick and a set-piece either side of half-time before Kyle Rowles headed in his first Hyundai A-League goal, only to be sent off for a poor tackle in the 71st minute.
Mark Bridge also converted a spot-kick in his 250th appearance in the competition but Markus Babbel’s men were unable to deny Alen Stajcic’s side their third victory of the season.
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Adam Pearce replaced Ben Kennedy between the posts for the Mariners and started well, saving at Mitch Duke’s feet in the 22nd minute.
Western Sydney brought in a rookie goalkeeper of their own, debutant Jack Greenwood, and the teenager could do little to stop Central Coast’s opener.
Simon won a free-kick on the edge of the area, approached it with intent and blasted the ball straight through a disorganised wall.
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Jordan Murray glanced a header narrowly wide of the target just prior to half-time, before going agonisingly close to meeting Jack Clisby’s left-sided delivery moments after the restart.
Greenwood, attempting to claim a cross, then wiped out the striker and Simon rifled in the resultant spot-kick to double his side’s lead in the 52nd minute.
A third quickly followed, defender Rowles pulling away from Tarek Elrich and nodding in Clisby’s corner.
Pearce’s handling error and Jacob Melling’s subsequent panicked challenge Rashid Mahazi gifted substitute Bridge a goal from the spot and the Wanderers a way back in the 67th minute.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6028249538001
The sense of an impending comeback grew when, 19 minutes from time, Rowles undid his earlier good work by leaving a foot in on Alexander Baumjohann and earning himself a straight red card.
But the Mariners defended stoutly for the remainder of the match as they snapped a four-game losing streak against Western Sydney and signed off from Central Coast Stadium on a triumphant note.
Their final match of the season is away to Melbourne City on Friday, while Wanderers host Melbourne Victory the following day.