Green Gully became just the second team to win against A-League opposition in the FFA Cup, defeating the Central Coast Mariners 2-1 in dramatic fashion.
In what was billed by many as a potential upset in this round of FFA Cup fixtures, the Mariners took an early lead through new signing Blake Powell after a great run by Harry Ascroft from right back.
However, Green Gully refused to back down, and equalised after captain Daniel Jones’ shot deflected in off Liam Boland. There was a suggestion of offside from Boland, but there was no disputing his second effort. Spotting Mariners keeper Ivan Necevski well off his line, Boland lobbed the ball into the net from 35 metres out in injury time to give his side a famous victory.
Powell makes his mark for Mariners
Coach Tony Walmsley has been busy in the off-season, signing a raft of new players, but it may be his most recent signing, striker Blake Powell, that will have the biggest impact this season.
Deployed as a playmaker behind Roy O’Donovan, the former Wellington Phoenix man put his side in front with a clinical effort after creating the initial opening for Harry Ascroft down the right flank. With O’Donovan failing to threaten the goal leading the line, Powell looks set to feature heavily for the Mariners this season.
Determined Green Gully go through
The Victorian NPL side refused to be overawed by their A-League opposition, sharing possession almost evenly and having their fair share of chances to break through the Mariners defensive line. Green Gully looked especially dangerous in the early stages of the second half, with Anthony Ragusa sparking to life despite being a goal down.
Second half substitute Nicholas Krousoratis added a new spark to the Victorian side just when they appeared to be slowing down and their persistence was rewarded in the final minutes. First a scrappy goal from the aftermath of a set piece, then Boland’s beautiful game-winning strike with less than a minute remaining was a just reward for the Arthur Pappas’ side.
Construction still required at Central Coast
After achieving the unenviable record of most goals conceded in a single season last campaign, much of the focus in signings has been to bring extra experience to the defensive set-up through Ivan Necevski, Jacques Faty and Mickael Tavares. Only Necevski featured in the starting lineup, but the veteran goalkeeper showed great reflexes to deny Green Gully a way back into the match, despite being caught off his line for the winning goal.
Central defence was a different story though, with Nick Montgomery and Jake McGing showing some jitters against the forward line of the Victorian outfit. The Mariners fell apart in the final minutes of plenty of matches last season, and unfortunately the defensive fragility has seemingly carried itself into the new campaign with two late goals costing them in this match. There is still a number of weeks until the A-League kicks off, but Tony Walmsley has his work cut out for him if the Mariners are to bounce back from their wooden spoon finish.
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