The Central Coast Mariners have played a grand final game of football that will echo down the ages, beating the league leaders Melbourne City 6 – 1 in Parramatta.
The truly remarkable game was held at ComBank Stadium in Parramatta instead of Melbourne City’s home ground as a result of an unpopular deal done by the league and the NSW State Government last year.
Though this was a game for the true believers in the magic of football to bring hope to everyone who has kicked a football around a park.
Melbourne City football club is the country’s best-resourced, richest and largest club thanks to its owner City Football Group which owns a dozen professional clubs around the globe, the chief of which is Manchester City in England.
The Central Coast Mariners, the country’s smallest, youngest and least resourced club played their hearts out in front of a capacity crowd for their first grand final appearance in 10 years.
Sometimes grand final games of football are stunted affairs as players adopt strategic concerns over their natural gameplay, but not so this grand final.
Both teams went full tilt at the game from the whistle, demonstrating the skills the teams have developed and valued over the season.
The Mariners came with the first chances in front of goal but were thwarted by the legendary defensive play of City and their keeper Thomas Glover.
A goal in the 22nd minute by the Mariners’ lead goal scorer Jason Cummings put the Central Coast outfit into the belief zone.
Then a second goal in the 34 minute by Sammy Silvera at an acute angle lifted the Mariners’ fans into ecstasy.
City scored a return goal in the 40th minute that gave the league leaders confidence for their inevitable comeback.
At halftime, the scoreline of 2 -1 to the Mariners felt tenuous at best.
City came out from the bunkers in cracking form, dominating the game, by demonstrating the skills that have made them the lead team for the last three seasons of A-league football.
Mariners coach Montgomery looked a little worried on the sidelines before he made some of his now trademark interchanges to the team in the 64th minute.
Then out of the blue, a penalty was awarded to young Jacob Farrell who had just been substituted on seconds before.
Jason Cummings slotted in a wonderful penalty shot to put the Mariners 3 – 1 up in the 65th minute.
Incredibly, a second penalty was awarded to the Mariners for a handball involving Farrell again. Cummings again scored, making him the Mariners’ highest-ever seasonal goal scorer with 20 on the score sheet.
The score line was now 4 – 1, something not even delusional Central Coast fans would have dared to dream.
And then in the 83rd minute, Beni Nkololo picked up a casual header from a Sammy Silvera cross to bring the scores to an amazing 5 – 1.
When the game couldn’t get better for the yellow and blue fans the night away, a last-minute goal by the newly substituted Moresche cut through the City defenders to score the sixth goal for the Central Coast outfit.
The full-time whistle blew on what will surely go down as one of the great David and Goliath battles of Australian football history.
Head coach Nick Montgomery modestly refused to take all the credit for the success of his team when interviewed after the game, saying “We’ve built the side to give young players a chance to play great football and we’ve done that.”
There’s no doubt now the great football feelings will wash across the region and surely bring a new era of confidence and pride to all on the Central Coast.
The team held a fan event at Erina Fair the day after the win, where local crowds were treated to talks and autograph signings.
Multiple victory ceremonies are expected to occur across the Central Coast over the coming weeks.
David Abrahams
great team