Melbourne Victory’s unbeaten run against the Central Coast Mariners came to an end with a 3-2 loss on Sunday.
Summary
Matt Simon converted two penalties in additional time in Gosford, where Victory was left to lament missed chances in the first half.
Kristijan Dobras’ opener was cancelled out by Jordan Murray before a Kye Rowles own goal gave Victory the lead again.
However, Simon scored two stoppage-time penalties as Victory’s run of 18 games unbeaten against the Mariners came to an end.
Victory made a fast start as Dobras and James Donachie forced saves from Mariners goalkeeper Mark Birighitti in the opening minutes.
After Victory goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas dived at the feet of Murray to deny the Mariners, the visitor took the lead.
Dobras received a pass from Jakob Poulsen before his strike from the edge of the area deflected past Birighitti in the eighth minute.
Victory continued to enjoy the better of the opportunities, with Andrew Nabbout denied by a fine Birighitti save from an angle.
It almost doubled its lead nine minutes before the break, but Poulsen blazed over from inside the area.
Instead, the Mariners equalised through Murray, who headed in a Lewis Miller cross prior to half-time.
Central Coast thought it had taken the lead early in the second half, but Rowles’ effort was correctly ruled out for offside by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
Nabbout threatened for Victory in the 73rd minute, bursting onto a pass from Migjen Basha before steering an effort wide under heavy pressure.
But Victory grabbed the lead just five minutes later after a Rowles own goal.
Adama Traore made room for a cross on the left and his delivery hit the back post before deflecting off Rowles and into the bottom corner.
However, Central Coast was awarded a penalty for a James Donachie handball in additional time and Simon converted the spot-kick.
The Mariners were given another penalty in the 100th minute, and Simon converted once more.
Player in focus
Key moment
Result
Hyundai A-League 2019/20 Round 14
Central Coast Mariners 3 (Jordan Murray 44′, Matt Simon 90+4′ pen/90+10′ pen)
Melbourne Victory 2 (Kristijan Dobras 8′, Kye Rowles 78′ og)
Central Coast Mariners: Birighitti (gk); Miller, Gordon, Rowles, Oar (c); Duric (Silvera 79′), Kim, Stensness; De Silva (McGlinchey 87′); Murray, Jair (Simon 63′).
Melbourne Victory: Thomas (gk); Lesiotis (Roux 57′), Donachie, Broxham (c), Traore; Basha (Barnett 80′), Poulsen; Nabbout, Dobras (Athiu 57′), Kamsoba; Kruse.
Yellow cards: Duric 67′, Simon 90+6′, Traore 90+6′, Broxham 90+7′
Red cards: Nil
Attendance: TBA
Venue: Central Coast Stadium
Next up
Victory is away again in Round 15, visiting Adelaide United on Friday, January 17.
