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No love for Mariners in Melbourne

FOOTBALL Two one-goal losses in a week at AAMI Park, Melbourne has sunk the Central Coast Mariners to the bottom end of the A-League table, unrewarded despite their exceptional showing against the defending champions.

After conceding a sloppy goal late to lose against Melbourne Victory on Saturday, February 19, the Mariners performed with a fresh bout of form against City on Tuesday, February 22, losing 3-2 at the back of two controversial interventions by VAR checks.

After soaking up City advances for 45 minutes, Beni N’Kololo took his first opportunity with the ball in space to score in favour of the visitors, also beginning his personal A-League goal account.

A Mariners half-time lead was disrupted seven minutes into injury time by Rowles’ reckless sliding challenge on Marco Tilio at the edge of the penalty area, prompting a lengthy VAR check to decide if the offence was a free kick or penalty.

The decision was a penalty, and Jamie Maclaren calmly deposited the equaliser to create an even contest for the second half.

In the 57th minute, the first lead of the game for City was established by Florin Berenguer, making good on a clever onetwo play with Aiden O’Neill that brought him point blank ahead of Mariners’ keeper, Mark Birighitti.

Not to be outdone, the visitors pushed back against their hosts, resulting in a second equaliser produced on the counterattack, put away by captain, Oliver Bozanic.

The final goal went the way of City in the 74th minute, scored by Tilio after a clever team attack with false runners left the Mariners centre defence bare.

This did not stop the Mariners from pushing back in search of an equaliser, leading to Lewis Miller making a darting run past Tilio into the penalty area before being stopped by Matthew Leckie’s boot.

A gruellingly long VAR check ensued past the 90-minute mark and into extra time as a potential penalty shot was considered, then overruled to the dismay of Mariners coach, Nick Montgomery, his team and staff.

“It’s disappointing more than anything,” Monty said.

“We came here tonight knowing that City are the benchmark team in the competition without a doubt, and I thought we matched them in every area.

“At half time I was told that the contact (from Rowles against Tilio in the first half) was outside the box.

“The referee said it was a second contact in the box so for me that’s not a penalty.

“You just think that you’re going to get what you deserve,” continued Monty, focussing on the final VAR decision.

“Lewis Miller gets kicked on top of his foot; he got a gash on his foot so we have to take him off.

“I’ve had opposition players come up to me tonight and say they can’t believe it.

“I’m devastated for the boys, because it seems like week in, week out, we’re copping a little bit of bad luck… but tonight I think we need an explanation on those decisions.”

Haakon Barry

Clubs ready for 2022 kick off

The Terrigal Trojans in a match against The Lakes last seaso With the start of the rugby season just months away, the Avoca Beach Sharks, Gosford Red Devils, Kariong Wanderers and Terrigal Trojans, along with clubs from the north of the region, Hornsby and the Peninsula, are well into preparation mode.

A spokesperson for Central Coast Rugby Union (CCRU) said all clubs in the Zone had been putting things into place for the 2022 season, after a disappointing end to last season, with games cancelled due to COVID-19 lockdowns.

“Everybody is hoping that things can start well for the coming season,” the spokesperson said.

“The last two years have been most dramatic during these very unusual times.

“The fact that last season was cancelled midway through the year still leaves a most disappointing feeling in the minds of all rugby players, supporters and administrators on the Central Coast.”

CCRU has a new President in Tod Wills who has been involved with various clubs in the region, is a past Zone coach and has been a member of the CCRU Board for several years.

He will be assisted in the Executive by Vice-Presidents Kate Thomson and Owen Clark.

The season will commence on Saturday, April 2, and continue through to the Grand Final on September 17.

In the first match of the draw, the Kariong Wanderers will take on the Terrigal Trojans at Kariong Oval, Avoca Sharks will butt heads with The Bay at Joseph Banks Oval and the Gosford Red Devils meet The Lakes at Showground Rugby Field.

Things are also being put in place for the representative season.

“The NSW Country Championships will be held once again in Tamworth over the June long weekend, with three Coast teams set to compete - Senior 1st XV, the Under 19s and the Women’s XV.

The coaches for these teams are: Seniors – Craig McWilliam, Murray Cox and Hoani Rimene, with Kyle Lanzini as Manager; Colts – Nick Meyer, Justin Staben, Scott Hanley and Josh Harrod with Michael Middleton as Manager; and Women – Mick Burgess and Jacob Tumanako, with Pam Proctor as Manager.

Source: Media release, Feb 5 Larry Thomson, Central Coast Rugby Union