Central Coast Mariners’ nightmare season ended in the worst possible fashion after 4-2 loss at home against arch rivals Newcastle Jets in a highly entertaining F3 derby.
Newcastle Jets made the perfect start, scoring after just 38 seconds following a brain fade from Mariners goalkeeper Paul Izzo.
After charging out of his penalty area Izzo collided with Ryan Kitto, which allowed allowed the winger to pick out Morten Nordstrand for a simple headed finish.
On 18 minutes the Jets doubled their advantage after a superb square ball from Ryan Kitto found Enver Alivodic, who finished with aplomb from close range.
On the stroke of half time Mark Birighitti came out off his line and completely misjudged the flight of the ball, but Luis Garcia’s lobbed shot into an empty net was ruled out after Roy O’Donovan fouled Daniel Mullen before the Spaniard connected with the ball.
Five minutes after the interval Ben Kantarovski was penalised for handball, despite the ball clearly not touching any part of his arm or hand. It was a shocking call, made even worse when Fabio Ferreira cooly slotted it home to provide the Mariners with a lifeline.
The Jets responded only minutes later, with Kitto involved once again, laying an inch-perfect ball onto Norstrand who finished with aplomb at the near post.
In the 75th minute the hosts pegged a goal back when Garcia provided the fans with his last moment of class by whipping in a perfect cross for O’Donovan to powerfully head into the back of the net.
Newcastle came under increasing pressure after the goal, however any hopes of completing a fine comeback were thwarted when Mateo Poljak scored a wonderful curling effort from the top of the box.
Here are some of the best reactions on Twitter:
Central Coast Mariners become the first team in @ALeague history to concede four goals in three consecutive matches #CCMvNEW
— Fox Sports Lab (@FoxSportsLab) April 9, 2016
I for one think that this season from #ccm has taught football a tough lesson. This is what u get for putting a palm tree on a kit #CCMvNEW
— Ashley Schultz (@schultz576) April 9, 2016
@NewcastleJetsFC rubbing salt into the wound @CCMariners by throwing wooden spoons onto the field #CCMvNEW @FTSAUS pic.twitter.com/OQmJHxht5R
— Mikel Breckenridge (@breckie19) April 9, 2016
Seriously don’t get that! Kittio clearly best player on the pitch & Miller drags him with 30mins to go!?!? #CCMvNEW
— Sproulie (@Sproulie72) April 9, 2016
Seriously the central coast mariners are a joke, both on & off the pitch. I used to like & respect them, now I just laugh at them #CCMvNEW
— Scott Fynmore (@SFynmore) April 9, 2016
What a man, Luis Garcia! Stoked to have seen the bloke play twice this year #CCMvNEW
— Jack Brady (@JackBraydes) April 9, 2016
#CCMvNEW is a good example of why we need a relegation/promotion system.
— Steve V (@Fuzz_10) April 9, 2016
Well done to #CCMvNEW for putting on a show even though there was nothing to gain for either team, much respect.
— Reece (RocknRolla) (@RocknRolla_2k15) April 9, 2016
Love watching Nordstrand play, makes Jets games watchable with Leonardo? #F3Derby #CCMvNEW
— nice boy (@jackxknight) April 9, 2016
So the usual standard of A-league refereeing then. Rubbish. #F3Derby #CCMvNEW
— Sam Millar (@sammillar89) April 9, 2016
Ref might be looking for a hole to hide in after that call. #CCMvNEW
— Andrew (@crusader_29) April 9, 2016
Mariners not even the best side on the Central Coast, I know I live here. Just take your money and go Charlesworth. #CCMvNEW
— Malcolm Hill (@Ozpromoman) April 9, 2016
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