Central Coast gave retiring captain John Hutchinson a perfect send-off with a tenacious win against Western Sydney Wanderers.
Central Coast Mariners
Liam Reddy – 7: Made a couple of smart saves to deny the visitors an equaliser. Did not have any trouble playing out from defence this week.
Storm Roux – 6.5: The 23-year-old missed the last two games due to international selection and comfortably slotted back into the starting eleven with several fine runs up the touchline.
Zac Anderson – 6: Endured some difficulties in tracking the mobile Wanderers forward line, but made a couple of last-ditch tackles that averted disaster.
Eddy Bosnar – 6: His contest with Kerem Bulut throughout the game was fascinating to watch, however the 32-year-old got away with a couple of rash challenges.
Josh Rose – 7: Even on the wrong side of 30, Rose still possesses the drive and stamina of two men. Took his goal calmly and almost grabbed a second late in the game after another barnstorming run upfield.
Nick Montgomery – 7.5: Was the heartbeat of the midfield, closing down the opposition whenever they looked to counter-attack. Hutchinson may be moving on at the end of this season, but the Central Coast engine room is in safe hands under the Englishman.
John Hutchinson – 6.5: Composed in his final match at Central Coast Stadium, but did not exert his influence on the game quite as much as he may have hoped to.
Fabio Ferreira – 6.5: Was quiet in the first half but looked dangerous in the second. Produced one of the game’s highlights with a slaloming run through the Western Sydney defence before setting up Nick Fitzgerald for a shot.
Anthony Caceres – 6: Linked up well with his teammates, but failed to find the target with a couple of good chances. Found it difficult to unlock a resolute Wanderers defence.
Isaka Cernak – 6: Put in a tireless performance on the left wing once again. Still lacks anticipation of potential goalscoring situations, finding himself flat-footed more than once.
Anthony Kalik – 7: Proved that he is up to the speed of the competition in his first start, setting up the game’s only goal.
Substitutes
Nick Fitzgerald – 6: Made some good contributions in attack, but still lacks a finishing touch.
Liam Rose – N/A: Replaced John Hutchinson so the retiring captain received a standing ovation.
Matt Simon – N/A: Made his farewell to the home crowd with a brief cameo off the bench.
Western Sydney Wanderers
Dean Bouzanis – 5.5: Not really tested after conceding early in the game. Did create a couple of nervy moments when trying to play out.
Sam Gallaway – 6: Did not stand out among the Wanderers defence, experiencing very few issues as he went about his business.
Jonathan Aspropotamitis – 6.5: Continues his run of good form since breaking into the side.
Matthew Spiranovic – 6.5: At his reliable best on his return from injury and produced a last-ditch tackle to deny Josh Rose a second goal.
Anthony Golec – 6: Kept Fabio Ferreira quiet for the first half, but started to lose discipline in the second.
Iacopo La Rocca – 5: The Italian was thoroughly underwhelming and withdrawn before the hour.
Mateo Poljak – 6: Screened the defence to his usual high standard.
Nick Kalmar – 5.5: Did little to influence the match after being selected over the rested Takahagi.
Alusine Fofanah – 6: Still trying to find his feet in the A-League. Found the occasional opening in the Mariners defence but could not capitalise.
Kerem Bulut – 7: Was a constant threat to the opposition, sometimes creating chances out of thin air through sheer determination.
Romeo Castelen – 6.5: Exhibited impressive technique on a number of occasions.
Substitutes
Jason Trifiro – 5: Had little impact aside from conceding a few fouls when breaking up attacks.
Steve Kuzmanovski – 6: Showed some glimpses of his raw talent.
Shayne D’Cunha – N/A: Only on the field long enough to claim the record of being the A-League and NSL’s first Indian-born player.
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