Central Coast Mariners vs Newcastle Jets – Shark Highlights | Isuzu UTE A-League 2024-25 | Round 17
Goals from Lachie Rose and Mark Natta earned Newcastle Jets a hard-fought draw, coming back from a two-goal deficit to level at 2-2 with the two-time reigning Isuzu UTE A-League champions, Central Coast Mariners, in the F3 Derby.
On Saturday night, Newcastle appeared to have the upper hand in the first half; however, it was the Mariners who struck first just before the break, with winger Christian Theoharous delivering a low cross that was finished off by defender Nathan Paull.
The Mariners extended their lead just five minutes after the interval when Abdul Faisal unleashed a powerful shot that Jets goalkeeper Ryan Scott misjudged, allowing the ball to slip through and into the net, making it 2-0 to the home side.
Freshly introduced from the bench, forward Rose capitalised on a mix-up in the Mariners’ penalty area to slot home for Newcastle in the 59th minute, just five minutes after his arrival.
Despite having numerous opportunities to secure all three points and striking the woodwork twice, Central Coast were stunned when Jets defender Natta equalised in the 87th minute, rising highest at a corner to nod the ball into the back of the net.
This draw sees the Mariners sitting ninth on the league table, now four points adrift of the top six, a result that head coach Mark Jackson will likely view as a frustrating two points dropped.
In contrast, the draw for Newcastle marks the end of their six-match losing streak against the Mariners in the F3 Derby.
The Jets looked poised to take an early lead in the first half, coming closest in the 17th minute when Daniel Wilmering’s left-footed shot went wide of the target after a clever setup by Clayton Taylor.
Mariners keeper Dylan Peraic-Cullen was called into action shortly after, parrying a powerful strike from Thomas Aquilina into the side netting as Newcastle continued to apply pressure.
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Despite enjoying more possession, Rob Stanton’s Jets were soon caught out defensively.
In the 39th minute, Theoharous received the ball from a quick corner, made a decisive run towards the box, and after deftly evading Eli Adams, delivered a low cross that Nathan Paull slotted home to give the Mariners the lead.
With the lead at halftime, the Mariners quickly doubled their advantage, a moment Jets keeper Scott would prefer to forget.
After being released down the left flank, Faisal drove into the Jets’ territory and let fly with a left-footed strike that slipped through Scott’s hands and crossed the line just ahead of the recovering Natta.
Determined to change the game, Newcastle’s Stanton introduced Japanese winger Kota Mizunuma and striker Rose, who made an immediate impact.
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Rose, seizing on a moment of hesitation in the Mariners’ box after a corner, positioned himself perfectly and struck the ball past Peraic-Cullen to reduce the deficit to 2-1.
Now charged up, Kota nearly equalised shortly after, but his powerful attempt was notably blocked by a last-ditch effort from Brian Kaltak.
In his final moment before being substituted, the impressive Faisal made another daring run down the left, curling a superb shot towards goal, only to see it clip the post and go wide.
Substitute Vitor Feijao nearly added to the Mariners’ tally in the 74th minute, but Scott made a tremendous save to deny him as Central Coast pushed for the crucial goal.
A header attempt from Rose elicited another smart save from Peraic-Cullen in the 80th minute, with the big keeper also preventing Lachie Bayliss from finding the net a minute later.
With victory in their sights, the Mariners almost sealed the deal in the 86th minute when Alou Kuol sent Mikael Doka through on goal, but the Brazilian’s low shot rebounded off the far post, a miss that would come back to haunt them.
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At the other end, Newcastle earned a corner that proved pivotal; a pinpoint delivery from Kota found the leaping Natta, who headed it down and into the net, igniting wild celebrations among the travelling Jets supporters.
Desperate for a late winner, the Mariners launched a final assault, but Paull’s deflected effort sailed narrowly over the bar.
The Mariners’ winning streak in the F3 Derby ends with this draw, leaving the defending champions in a frustrating ninth position on the table, four points away from the playoff spots.
Meanwhile, the Jets remain in 11th place, accumulating 12 points from their 14 games this season.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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