The Wanderers proved far too good for the Mariners in a vital 4-1 win which keeps their Premier’s Plate hopes alive and sees them reclaim top spot on the A-League ladder.
It was fitting that the last match at Parramatta’s Pirtek Stadium before it undergoes extensive redevelopment was against the Central Coast, as they were Western Sydney’s first ever opponents to visit the venue.
While the win sees the Wanderers re-claim top spot on the ladder, the Mariners are on course for their worst ever A-League season, with their tally of just two wins surpassing their torrid 2014-15 campaign of five wins.
Western Sydney have seriously struggled to find an avenue to goal lately, only finding the back of the net once in the last three weeks. But they returned to goal-scoring form tonight with an exceptional attacking performance, and Tony Popovic and his men can sit back for the rest of the weekend after putting pressure on the other sides competing for top spot.
The Wanderers completely dominated possession, and came out showing renewed attacking intent and some excellent defensive pressing to instantly win the ball back. Jamieson and Neville continually got into dangerous positions to deliver a final ball, as Castelen and Bridge tucked into more central positions to open up the space for the full-backs.
The combination between Spaniard stalwart Andreu and youngster Kearyn Baccus in the centre of midfield worked perfectly, and helped the Wanderers enjoy a high rate of 65% possession. Andreu in particular really controlled things in the middle and moved the play from side to side with aplomb.
Castelen opened the scoring in the 8th minute with an absolutely cracking strike into the top corner, leaving Mariners keeper Adam Pearce with no chance. It was great build up play by Baccus with the pass to set up the play, and Castelen finished emphatically with his right foot.
The Mariners grabbed an equaliser shortly afterwards when a great run and cross from the right by Austin found Luis Garcia, who finished superbly with a diving header into the bottom corner.
A surging Castelen run through a pocket of space in the 35th minute led to a great save by Pearce, but the rebound fell to the left foot of Santalab who finished neatly to make it 2-1.
Santalab was at the double at the start of the second half when he headed in at the back post from a perfect delivery whipped in from the right wing by Scott Neville, and it was effectively game over for the Mariners.
Nichols completed the rout in the 83rd minute with his tenth goal of the season when he finished off some great play from Bridge, who twisted and turned past McGing and sent in a low cross that ricocheted back to Nichols.
The Wanderers have a potentially tricky final round match next week with a trip to Wellington, while the Mariners finish their woeful campaign at home against the Newcastle Jets.
Western Sydney Wanderers
Andrew Redmayne – 6.5: An opportunity to impress with Liam Reddy having overtaken him in the goalkeeping pecking order, but he was rarely tested or even called into action.
Scott Neville – 7.5: Benefited from Nichols and Castelen tucking into central positions, and utilised the space that opened up for him down the right quite well. Provided a perfect cross for Santalab to set up his side’s third goal, and covered a lot of distance down the right.
Alberto – 6.5: Had a steady game in the centre of defence, but was partly at fault for the Mariners’ first goal as he missed a header and let Luis Garcia sneak in behind him.
Nikolai Topor-Stanley – 7: A rock in the centre of the Wanderers defence, the skipper distributed the ball well and marshalled his defenders to great effect on the rare occasions when the Mariners managed to launch a counter-attack. Nullified the threat of O’Donovan by barely giving him any space.
Scott Jamieson – 8: Always looked a threat with surging runs down the left from full-back, and at times almost played like a left-winger he was so far advanced up the field.
Andreu – 8.5: Was missing his usual Spanish partner in crime in holding midfield, Dimas, but formed a great partnership and understanding with Baccus. Essentially controlled the proceedings and dictated play, and was a major reason in his side’s possession dominance.
Kearyn Baccus – 8: The youngster started really brightly, with a strong sliding tackle to break up a Mariners counter-attack. Some great build-up play led to Castelen’s early goal, and Baccus fancied his own chances just minutes later with a shot from distance that sailed over the crossbar. A strong performance in centre midfield filling in for the suspended Dimas.
Mitch Nichols – 8: Was his usual productive and work-horse self, floating across the Wanderers attacking third. Capped off the performance with the Wanderers’ fourth goal.
Romeo Castelen – 8.5: Probably his best performance this season. Scored an absolute belter right at the start of the game, with a magnificent strike from outside the box that sailed into the top corner. Had a couple of great opportunities to score again in the first half, and always looked dangerous. Was often seen jinking and weaving his way past defenders in an impressive attacking performance. Was taken off after 62 minutes, presumably for a rest. Could be an important x-factor for the Wanderers in the finals if he can replicate this form.
Brendon Santalab – 8.5: Only his second start for the season, with 19 appearances from the bench. Made some surging runs that occupied both central defenders, opening up space in central areas for the likes of Castelen and Bridge. Scored the Wanderers’ second goal with a real poacher’s effort after following up a saved shot, and tucked in the third with a header from close range.
Mark Bridge – 7: Started the match on the left-wing, and then was pushed up front in the number 9 role after Santalab’s substitution. Provided a constant threat, but once again failed to find the back of the net. Made a great twisting and turning run down the left which led to Nichols’ goal.
Substitutes
Shannon Cole – 6.5 – Came on in the 69th minute for Santalab, and almost provided a perfect cut-back after a surging run down the left.
Dario Vidosic – 6.5 – Came on in the 62nd minute for Castelen, and immediately got into the action with a great low cross that almost found the stretching Nichols at the far post.
Jacob Pepper – N/A: Came on in the dying minutes for Baccus.
Central Coast Mariners
Adam Pearce – 5.5: Made his first appearance this season between the posts for the Mariners, and it was a baptism of fire early as Castelen blasted an unstoppable strike past him in the opening ten minutes. Made a great save from a Castelen shot, only for Santalab to slot in the rebound.
Jacob Poscoliero – 5.5: Had his hands full at right-back with Jamieson’s constant attacking thrusts, and was ultimately out-classed.
Harry Ashcroft – 6: Managed a few vital clearances, but was constantly tested by the Wanderers attackers.
Jake McGing – 6: Was out-paced by Castelen in the first half on a few occasions, and Bridge weaved past him in the 83rd minute to set up Nichols for the Wanderers’ fourth goal.
Michael Neill – 6: Simply could not cope with Castelen’s pace and power down the right in the first half. Worked hard, but the threat of Neville constantly getting forward ultimately proved too much for him.
Liam Rose – 6.5: A really composed young player who has developed well this season. Not his best game, but looked good when he was on the ball.
Francesco Stella – 5.5: Former Melbourne Victory man was subbed early in the second half, and failed to put in his best performance.
Joshua Rose – 6: Worked hard for his team, but was ultimately out-classed in midfield and failed to thwart the threat of Castelen and Nichols from central areas.
Luis Garcia – 7: Scored his second A-League goal with a brilliant diving header into the bottom corner. Was his usual classy self with some lovely touches, and a particularly eye-catching turn when he beat two players with his quick feet. Ultimately failed to see enough of the ball.
Roy O’Donovan – 6: The dangerous striker was starved of any real service from his teammates and looked frustrated at times. Had a great chance to go one-on-one with Redmayne late in the second-half, but the pressure and work-rate of Topor-Stanley to push back saw his shot fly and high and wide.
Mitch Austin – 7: Provided an inch-perfect cross from the right for Luis Garcia’s goal, and on the rare occasions he managed to get on the ball looked a threat with his pace and power.
Substitutes
Fabio Ferreira – 6.5 – Came on for Stella in the 62nd minute, and looked good in patches. Dribbled down the right and cut in with a powerful drive in the 78th minute that sailed only inches above the crossbar.
Bradley McDonald – 6– Replaced Austin in the 69th minute, and failed to really provide any real attacking threat.
Matthew Fletcher – N/A Came on in the dying minutes for Luis Garcia.
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