Mariners hold Sky Blues to 1-1 draw
SYDNEY FC is slowly fading away in the race for the premier’s plate after being forced to settle for a 1-1 ALeague draw with last-placed Central Coast yesterday.
A clutch second-half penalty from Adam le Fondre saved the Sky Blues after Aiden O’Neill’s composed first-half strike had looked to be the difference. The result leaves a stuttering Sydney FC in third spot, 10 points behind ladder leader Perth with just eight games left in the season.
A healthy crowd of 12,188 filled Leichhardt Oval for the first A-League fixture at the venue, but they were left wanting plenty from their temporary tenants.
The numbers showed it was a one-way show. The Sky Blues enjoyed 62 per cent possession, 63 per cent territory, quadrupled the Mariners’ five shots on goal and played 51 balls into the box compared with 14. But in the end, they were forced to settle for a share of the points, a week after collapsing against lowly Brisbane.
Sydney FC coach Steve Corica admitted being disappointed in his team’s finish- ing, but was otherwise satisfied with their display.
“I was happy with the performance. It was very good. We dominated from the start and we had chances,” he said.
“The only thing I’m disappointed in was we didn’t score more goals because, first half, they had one chance and they scored against the run of play.”
Mariners coach Mike Mulvey made four changes to his side in another attempt to salvage some pride from their season. They held on to claim just their seventh point of the season, keeping alive their hopes of avoiding a last-place finish.
Their efforts were soured by a potentially serious knee injury to Tommy Oar, who limped off the field after hyperextending his knee.
Mulvey described it as a significant result in the context of their season.
“When you look at the history of the season so far, I think that’s a pretty significant result against significant odds,” he said. “Sydney threw everything at us basically and, of the three games we’ve played against them this season, this one was the least effective we’ve been going forward.”