Despite the 2-2 draw against Perth Glory in Perth and despite only winning one game in the last five the Central Coast Mariners remain in the second spot on the ISUZU UTE A-League ladder.
The Mariners sit on 27 points after playing 17 games, and Melbourne City sits aloft on 34 points with one game in hand. Adelaide United are also on 27 points, the Western Sydney Wanderers are on 25 and Wellington is close with 24 points on the tally.
The battle for the second spot between the four teams has undoubtedly increased the pressure in this season’s completion, as all four teams are only a win or loss away from climbing or sliding in the rankings.
The Mariners keep their higher ranking because of their large goal difference from the other sides, something Mariners fans can attest to, and lead scorer Jason Cummings kept the team’s goal feast going in Perth too.
Glory always plays well against the Mariners, no matter what position they are in and they always play extra well in front of their home crowd in Perth, this game was no exception.
The first half of the game looked like The Glory would once again pull off a hometown win when they scored in the 16th minute against an unusually flat footed Mariners defence.
That score held until halftime, despite the best efforts of the Central Coast squad and their little fan base.
The second half was a different affair. Some magic talk must of happened in the changeroom as the Mariners team found their mojo taking the game right up to their hosts.
The assertive play backfired with a penalty being awarded to Glory 5 minutes into the second half. Perth slot the ball away and now lead by two.
To the credit of the team spirit coach Monty has instilled the team did not backdown going on the hunt again.
In the 73rd minute the Mariners were awarded a penalty and Jason Cummings scored in his characteristically cool style.
With 15 minutes of regular time to go the game was on to equalise and then to win.
A second penalty is awarded to the Mariners only 6 minutes later, and again Cummings succeeds.
The two-all scoreline become the final result of the game.
The Mariners are back home at Gosford’s Industree Group Stadium on Friday night, local fans are in for a do-or-die game against Wellington Pheonix.
David Abrahams