Western Sydney Wanderers kept their hopes of securing the Premier’s Plate alive with a dominant 4-1 hiding of Central Coast Mariners at Pirtek Stadium on Friday.
A Brendon Santalab brace, a screamer from Romeo Castelen and Mitch Nichols’ late finish rendered Luis Garcia’s header inconsequential as WSW netted more than three goals in a match for the first time since January.
Castelen gave the hosts the perfect start when he unleashed a fabulous strike from outside the 18-yard box and into the top corner leaving debutant Adam Pearce no chance.
Jake McGing had the opportunity to reply for the Mariners, albeit against the run of play, after he should have done better with a free header from a corner.
But the visitors found an equaliser soon after to stun the home crowd, when club marquee Garcia connected with Mitch Austin’s pinpoint cross to score a brilliant diving header on 21 minutes.
Western Sydney recaptured the lead through Santalab on the follow-up as he was quickest to react to Castelen’s initial saved effort.
The second-half began in similar fashion with the Wanderers dominating possession for long periods and they extended their advantage courtesy of a Santalab free header from Scott Neville’s inviting ball.
It was just the 33-year-old’s second start of the season and incidentally his fourth goal over the Mariners this term.
Nichols put the result beyond doubt from close range and consigned the Gosford side to conceding four goals in five consecutive away trips.
The result sees the Wanderers provisionally move top of the A-League ladder, while the guaranteed cellar dwellers have not tasted victory since January.
Here are some of the best reactions from Twitter:
"Understanding between Nichols and Bridge."
lol Speedy, he bundled the ball over after a spill. #WSWvCCM
— Ante Jukić (@a_jukic) April 1, 2016
Find it incredible O'Donovan has been so vocal about the Mariners' recruitment. If I wasted as many chances as him I'd keep quiet.
— Michael Huguenin (@MichaelHuguenin) April 1, 2016
Castelen has had a great game.. His run lead to Santa's goal and @wswanderersfc lead again #WSWvCCM #sbsaleague
— David Zdrilic (@Zdrila) April 1, 2016
Francesco Stella's hair is also an abomination #WSWvCCM
— Vince Rugari (@VinceRugari) April 1, 2016
Santalab is a top class sub but I'm still not sure he's a starter come finals. Just feel his best impact is off the bench #WSWvCCM
— Sebastian Hassett (@sebth) April 1, 2016
Central Coast Mariners are an abomination #WSWvCCM
— Vince Rugari (@VinceRugari) April 1, 2016
WHAT A HEADER 1-1! #WSWvCCM
— Tiernan Walker (@TiernanWalker) April 1, 2016
Can't wait for @BrentonSpeed to get a hair transplant when the Mariners win ??? #aleague #WSWvCCM
— James Polansky (@jpolansky1) April 1, 2016
What a strike. Just what @wswanderersfc and Castelen needed #WSWvCCM #sbsaleague
— David Zdrilic (@Zdrila) April 1, 2016
Due credit…That is a great finish from Garcia #WSWvCCM
— Erin Morrow (@Erin_Mariner) April 1, 2016
►8’ GOAL! Castelen's stunner puts @wswanderersfc ahead! 1-0 #WSWvCCM Watch Live: https://t.co/qUKH8QAlN8 #SBSALEAGUE https://t.co/yywdBKg41R
— SBS – The World Game (@TheWorldGame) April 1, 2016
Speedy and Harps tonight. #WSWvCCM pic.twitter.com/XllyD8g95m
— Ante Jukić (@a_jukic) April 1, 2016
Sorry @wswanderersfc fans if Popovich isn't sure who your starting goalkeeper is after Round 26 you ain't going to win the title
— Kire Georgievski (@kgeorgievski) April 1, 2016
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