Mariners drown out the Roar at Lang Park

The Central Coast Mariners men returned to form in the new year, convincingly defeating the Brisbane Roar 3 – 1 at Lang Park on January 3.

The Mariners headed into the break with a one-goal lead after an early own goal put them in front.

Brisbane Roar’s Ben Halloran levelled the scores at 69 minutes, keeping the tension high at Brisbane’s iconic Lang Park Stadium AKA Suncorp Stadium.

Mariners goalkeeper Dylan Periaic-Cullen played a key role in keeping the Roar at bay, racking up seven crucial saves over the 90 minutes.

Harry Steele delivered the decisive moment for the Mariners, notching his first goal of the season with a well-timed flying header.

Connecting with a pinpoint cross from Storm Roux, Steele’s effort sailed past Roar keeper Macklin Freke, restoring the Mariners’ lead.

 The Roar went into overdrive with a series of late match attacks though the Mariners’ defence held firm, in a sign the players had won back ‘won’t back down’ attitude.

Eight minutes after Steele’s strike, new recruit De Lima struck his first goal for the Mariners, silencing the Roar, and securing the vital three points for the Central Coast team.

The win concludes an exhausting run of three games in seven days for the Mariners men.

After a well earned pause, the team will set its sights on a run of January away games, the first against arch rivals Sydney FC on January 11, a second test against Western Sydney Wanderers on January 17 the third away game against Wellington on the January 25 and another versus Western United January 31.