THE Central Coast Mariners have again been forced to settle for one competition point in a match they dominated for large periods, sharing a scoreless draw with Adelaide United at Canberra Stadium.
The Mariners were in control for large parts of the match, and football manager Lawrie McKinna was left to rue what might have been.
“The first half was good, but in the second half we got better and dominated," McKinna said.
"We dominated the chances, the possession, played some really good football and created some really good chances we should have taken.
“We played the last 10 minutes with 10 men, and I thought we even handled that well. It’s disappointing we have let two points go, but the positive is the overall performance, I thought, was very good."
Twice already so far this season, the Central Coast have opened the scoring with lightning speed, and on Saturday night went close again after just 28 seconds, Matthew Crowell firing in a wicked cross, forcing Mark Rudan to concede an early corner.
Pedj Bojic found himself one on one with Eugene Galekovic on six minutes after latching onto a lovely through ball by Dean Heffernan, but the Reds’ custodian proved equal to the task to stop Bojic’s low drive.
Travis Dodd had arguably the visitors’ best chance of the opening 45 minutes, when he sent a curling effort just wide of Danny Vukovic’s far post.
A scare went through the Mariners camp just over half an hour in, when New Zealand international and Celtic academy product Michael McGlinchey went down clutching at his foot, but thankfully for Lawrie McKinna, the diminutive midfielder was able to continue.
Kristian Sarkies sent a dipping effort over the bar from 25 yards in one of the few chances of the opening half, while at the other end, McGlinchey sent a ball into the box which sailed marginally over the head of Matt Simon, who was poised to strike.
McGlinchey had the final opportunity of the opening half, sending an effort wide after a John Hutchinson cross sat up in the penalty area.
It was to prove McGlinchey’s last involvement, as he made way for Nicky Travis at half time, amid concern for his right foot.
“When he cleared the ball he just rolled his ankle," McKinna said.
"We think it’s just a sprain, we don’t think there is anything serious there. We hope he’s back next week. Kiwis are tough, and he’s a Kiwi with a Scottish accent so I’m sure he’ll be alright."
Travis’ impact was close to immediate, putting a ball through for Pedj Bojic, who unluckily got tangled in the Adelaide defenders as he sought a way through.
Matthew Crowell tried his luck from 25 yards on a couple of occasions, the second of which hit powerfully enough that an off-guard Eugene Galekovic could only parry.
Heffernan was looking lively down the left, as he dominated the battle with Adelaide livewire Matthew Leckie, and launched a first time thunderbolt just wide of the post, as the yellow and navy continued their dominance.
Simon was unlucky to be called offside after being put through by Travis, the latter sending a shot from the edge of the box just over the bar minutes later.
The Central Coast’s best chance came on 74 minutes, when Simon picked the ball up in the left channel and squared for Adam Kwasnik, who’s close range shot was saved low down by Galekovic.
“When you’re a striker and it comes in front of goal, Adam knows himself he didn’t need to take a touch, he just needed to hit that first time," McKinna said.
Unable to find what would have been just reward for their pressure, the frustration of McKinna’s men grew, Crowell receiving his marching orders after picking up two bookings in the space of six minutes.
Brad Porter was introduced late on and tested Galekovic from close range, but neither side could break the deadlock, as the Central Coast picked up another vital point, but rued the two which slipped away.
Captain Alex Wilkinson was quick to douse suggestions the forward line may need to be reshuffled.
“It’s a team game," he said.
"It’s not just the back four defending well, it’s the whole team. It starts with Matty and Kwas up front and it seems to be working. Another clean sheet tonight which is great, and on another day we could have scored a couple of goals but it wasn’t to be.
"There are going to be days where we concede goals and the strikers score,” Wilkinson said.
And his manager agreed.
“We’ll persevere, because there are goals in them, goals will come," McKinna said.
The Mariners head to Melbourne this week looking for three points, to remain in touch with the top of the ladder.
The Mariners’ next home match of the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season will be against Perth Glory on Friday, November 27. Kick-off is at 8pm.
- Glen Lauder is media and communications manager for the Central Coast Mariners.
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