Melbourne City made it two 5-1 wins in as many weeks, obliterating a limp Mariners outfit at a lifeless Central Coast Stadium.
The hosts created plenty in the opening stages of the match, but they were made to pay for their profligacy. Only seconds after Roy O’Donovan butchered a guilt-edged one-on-one opportunity, City rebounded and took the lead through a composed Harry Novillo.
City doubled their money late in the second half after Bruno Fornaroli netted off the woodwork following some excellent build-up play. A third was added 12 minutes after the restart, another stunner, courtesy of Novillo once more.
Stefan Mauk piled on more misery with a fourth before Mitch Austin won and then emphatically dispatched a late penalty, conceded by Ivan Franjic. The goals did not finish there, however, as Aaron Mooy thrashed home make it five seconds before full time.
There was plenty to talk about as play went on: City’s beautiful finishing, Thursday night football, some rather frank assessments of O’Donovan and, somewhat regrettably, the noticeable effect on the atmosphere of the Yellow Army’s stadium boycott.
Here’s the best of what the Twittersphere had to offer:
Absolutely motherflippin’ brilliant. [pic via @pjimmy86] pic.twitter.com/9l0Zsn0AoZ
— #DanielPalmer (@userlastname) December 3, 2015
The Mariners and Yellow Army get ripped on a lot, but that banner has set the perfect tone for the weekend. Outstanding. #CCMvMCY
— Ben Williams (@BenitoWill) December 3, 2015
Fantastic stuff by the @MelbourneCity boys. We all stand behind @CoreyGameiro #CCMvMCY — Osama (@osamahag10) December 3, 2015
The stadium looks damn near empty. A disgrace for @FFA #CCMvMCY. — West Sydney Football (@WestSydney) December 3, 2015
And a genius bit of scheduling this. Gosford on a Thursday night. #CCMvMCY — Clayts (@cjpelican) December 3, 2015
Nice work @ccyellowarmy! Enjoy the beers. #StayAtThePubRound #CCMvMCY — Zachary King (@kingzac) December 3, 2015
#CCMvMCY the nostalgia of the NSL era – as quiet as a game of Bowls — Boutros Zalloua (@bootyz333) December 3, 2015
Clisby has the timing of a kindergarten triangle player #CCMvMCY — Gabriel Grossi (@GabrielGrossi) December 3, 2015
City must be sponsored by the pancake parlour tonight. So many turnovers ? #CCMvMCY
— Matt (@Mattys123) December 3, 2015
@FFA don’t like active fans and now there are none at #CCMvMCY. Mission accomplished? #youvegotnofans #BeautifulGame pic.twitter.com/IRO7IFfGgv
— Anthony Deep (@aetdeep) December 3, 2015
Novillo shows O’Donovan how to finish. #CCMvMCY — Hat (@DragonPunk12) December 3, 2015
Andy Keogh – goals + yellow cards = Roy odonovan #CCMvMCY — Simon Mattiaccio (@smatt1616) December 3, 2015
Which brain surgeon at @FFA sat down & thought ‘I know what will be a ratings bonanza, Mariners v City on a Thur night.’ #CCMvMCY — Chris Van Unen (@Ritchie78) December 3, 2015
This atmosphere is like some of the NRL games I went to this year except those games had 10 thousand+there with no boycotts #CCMvMCY — Anthony Vescio (@vesh88) December 3, 2015
Phwoar! Great team goal by @MelbourneCity and great finish by Fornaroli #CCMvMCY — Justin Tickner (@justintickner) December 3, 2015
O’Donovan is the worst @ALeague import I’ve seen. Garbage. #CCMvMCY — Peter G (@lilpetedj) December 3, 2015
#CCMvMCY pic.twitter.com/lXNa7bNhbp
— Dale Roots (@dale_roots) December 3, 2015
4,514 for @CCMariners tonight. That’s just 6 more fans than their worst ever #ALeague crowd (4,508 vs ADL in February this year) #CCMvMCY
— Justin Tickner (@justintickner) December 3, 2015
Making everyone Mooyst. #CCMvMCY
— Dave (@ledantehicks) December 3, 2015
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