Central Coast came from two goals down to snatch a point against Perth in Round 15 of the National Youth League on Saturday.
The Mariners needed second half goals to Hyundai A-League regular Nigel Boogaard and replacement Ty Owens to secure a 2-2 draw at Frank Millington Field at Budgewoi on the Central Coast.
The last time the teams met the Mariners got maximum points and coach Alex Tobin will be disappointed his team could not get another win against the visitors.
While the Mariners did well to come back to draw, it was game Central Coast could have, and should have, won comfortably.
Perth was restricted to attacking on the break while the Mariners created, but failed to finish, several great opportunities.
It appeared the Mariners would be in for a comfortable match when experienced Perth player David Tarka was red carded for abusive language in only the 18th minute.
Despite going a man down the visitors opened the scoring completely against the run of play in the 22nd minute. A powerful header from Anthony Skoric left Central Coast goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne with no chance.
Seven minutes later Perth was two goals up after veteran Mariners defender Andrew Clark headed into his own net following a Perth corner.
Perth had more of the ball early in the second half but rarely threatened an experienced Mariners defence.
When the home team equalised with 20 minutes to play it appeared Central Coast was on target for a win.
But a mixture of some poor finishing and resolute Perth defence saw the score remain 2-2.
Perhaps Central Coast’s best chance for a winner came in second half injury time when Sean Mitchell had a powerful volley spectacularly saved by replacement Perth goalkeeper Alex Pearson.
Match Details
Central Coast Mariners 2 (Nigel BOOGAARD 62-, Ty OWENS 71-)
Perth Glory 2 (Anthony SKORICH 22-, Andrew CLARK (og) 29-)
Saturday 3 January 2009
Frank Millington Field
Local kick off 10.30am AEDT
Referee. Brett Hookham
Assistant Referees: Scott Edeling, Adam Weir
Fourth Official: Matthew Gillett
Central Coast Mariners line up: 30.Andrew REDMAYNE (gk) (1.Matthew NEMES (gk) 45-), 2.Steven TIBBETTS, 7.Matthew LEWIS, 8.Andrew CLARK (OA), 9.Brady SMITH, 12.Scott WRIGHT (6.Ty OWENS 59-), 13.Ashley BALCOMB (17.Sean MITCHELL 59-),14.Greg OWENS (OA), 15.Paul O-GRADY (OA), 16.Nigel BOOGAARD (OA), 21.Daniel Taylor (10.Glen TRIFIRO 59-).
Substitutes not used: Nil.
Yellow cards: Ashley BALCOMB 57-.
Red Cards: Nil.
Perth Glory line up: 1.Dejan ALEKSIC (gk) (40.Alex PEARSON (gk) 62-), 5.Steven HESKETH, 6.Dean EVANS, 7.James SAMMUT (12.Reece VITTIGLIA 62-), 9.Anthony SKORICH (16.Eli BABALJ 62-), 10.Adam LUCA (8.Howard FONDYKE 62-), 11.Ryan PEARSON, 13.Andrija JUKIC, 14.Liam HARVEY, 17.Mark LEE (OA), 18.David TARKA (OA).
Substitutes not used: Nil.
Yellow cards: Ryan PEARSON 86-.
Red Cards: David TARKA 14-.
