Gold Coast United 3-3 Central Coast Mariners
Gold Coast and Central Coast met today under very different circumstances to each other. Gold Coast are the only team that the Mariners haven't beaten this season, and they looked to hold onto that fact. However, their recent form was not on their side, still searching for the first win of 2012. For Central Coast, they were looking to cement their place at the top of the A-League and make almost certain their Premiership. They had just about recovered from a slight dip in form, and were out to destroy a youthful Gold Coast side.
Gold Coast were still suffering from a long injury list, though Michael Thwaite's return from suspension was a major lift to the side, while Central Coast's only problems were the 3 Australian Olyroos players, Under-23's to you and me, but Tom Rogic has been a revelation, and there was much hope that he could inspire the team.
Things got off to the perfect start for Central Coast, as Adam Kwasnik netted after just three minutes with what was a fairly scrappy goal, though Rogic had a great run to get the assist. Being bottom of the table, one would have expected Gold Coast to roll over and admit defeat, as we expected last weekend against Melbourne. However, 5 minutes later, and Hutchy will love this name - Gol-Gol Mebrahtu was knocked over in the penalty area, and Chris Harold barged his way through a crowd of his players to take the spot kick, and duly buried it. There was no sign of Gold Coast relenting, and as the crowd at Skilled Park could sense something, Ben Halloran barged his way onto the scene, with a fantastic goal to give the hosts hope of causing an upset going into half time.
The second half began brightly aswell, as Central Coast found themselves on the defensive for a fair while as United gained confidence. Mitch Cooper, the 17-year old captain who cost Miron Bleiberg his job last week, scored a great goal on only his second A-League start. Bernie Ibini-Isei scored only 3 minutes later to give Central Coast hope of a revival. This was realised 7 minutes later when Adam Kwasnik slotted home the equaliser to set up a pulsating final 25 minutes of play in which Central Coast really should have taken it. But take nothing away from Gold Coast United, they were fantastic on the night, and were good value for their point.
While they are still consigned to the wooden spoon, Gold Coast will finish the season as the only side that Central Coast haven't managed to beat, and with their youth on display, they have a lot to look forward to - assuming they're still a club next year. Central Coast have started slipping and losing ground to Brisbane Roar again, and are now only 6 points ahead.
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