A stoppage-time goal from Matt Sim saw Central Coast Mariners secure a 1-all draw against the Newcastle Jets at Hunter Stadium, despite playing over an hour with ten men.
The Mariners had started the match with their typical attacking intent but found themselves outnumbered after just 24 minutes when Jake McGing received a straight red card for a challenge on Leonardo.
The Jets struggled to make their advantage count, only finding the back of the net in the 83rd minute after Milos Trifunovic headed home David Carney’s corner. It looked as though Newcastle would hang on for the win, but the Mariners had other ideas, equalising in the second minute of stoppage time. With everyone in the box for a free-kick, the visitors caused enough mayhem in the box for Matt Sim to strike home the loose ball and give his team a well-deserved point.
No Ferreira, no problem
The Portuguese winger has been one of the Mariners’ best players this season but was ruled out for three weeks after picking up an injury. Robbed of a key attacking outlet, Tony Walmsley switched around his lineup and started with two strikers for the first time this season and gave Nick Fitzgerald a recall on the right flank in Ferreira’s place.
The Mariners did not seem to miss the presence of Ferreira, with Heffernan and O’Donovan combining well up front before Jake McGing’s red card. Indeed, Nick Fitzgerald’s presence was greatly appreciated in this situation, producing a typically tireless display after being shifted into central midfield. Ferreira is no doubt one of the most dangerous players in the competition, but the Mariners have enough options to be a threat no matter the occasion.
