Ferreira brace secures Central Coast victory over Perth Glory

A second-half penalty double from Fabio Ferreira helped Central Coast Mariners to a 3-2 win over Perth Glory in their A-League opener at Central Coast Stadium on Saturday.

Fabio Ferreira

Fabio Ferreira celebrates with Central Coast team-mates after scoring against Perth Glory. (Getty) Source: Getty Images

Central Coast took an early lead through Roy O'Donovan in the 9th minute, but that was cancelled out by a Richard Garcia header in the 23rd.

The host sealed the win in the second period after referee Strebre Delovski awarded it two penalties in the space of 10 minutes and both were converted by the impressive Ferreira.

A late goal from Hungarian Gyorgy Sandor proved no more than a consolation for the away side.

The new-look Mariners made a bright start and caused consternation in the Glory backline in the opening minutes, after Perth goalkeeper Ante Covic spilled a cross.

It didn't take long for the visitor to respond with Guyon Fernandez tapping in a Garcia cut back, but the goal was controversially disallowed for an offside in the build-up.
In an open contest, it was Central Coast that hit the front inside 10 minutes. Nick Fitzgerald found Ferreira in the box and while the winger's shot was saved by Covic's legs, Irish debutant O'Donovan was perfectly placed to force the ball into an empty net.
Midway through the first half Perth was level. A pinpoint cross to the backpost from Chris Harold was headed back across goal by Garcia to make it 1-1.
Both sides had chances to go in with a lead at the break, yet neither was able to to apply the finishing touch.

Ten minutes into the second half, Ferreira was pulled down in the area by Fernandez and Central Coast had the chance to retake the lead from the spot.

The Portuguese winger hammered the penalty into the top corner to give the Mariners a 2-1 lead.
On 65 minutes the home side won another penalty, this time Anthony Golec upended Storm Roux in the box.

Ferreira again stepped up and slotted the spotkick in exactly the same position to extend Central Coast's advantage.
Perth did reduce the deficit in stoppage time through Sandor, but it was not enough to prevent the Mariners taking all three points with a 3-2 win.

Central Coast coach Tony Walmsley was delighted with the result and his side's performance.

"I think when you make a bold statement for as long as I have about entertainment you have to back it up," Walmsley said.

"At the end of the day it's not about me. I think the players needed under A-League pressure today to put a few things on the line that they maybe haven't been asked to do before and it's a really bold and brave thing for them go out there on match day one and deliver that type of performance."

Glory boss Kenny Lowe felt his side was hurt in crucial moments of the game.

"You've got a deflection and two penalties you're under the pump and that affects you a little bit," Lowe said.

"It gives the other side momentum and belief. We didn't roll over, we hung in there and we tried to get something out of it but I guess we need to be a little bit better.

"We got our teeth into it a little bit in the last 15, 20 minutes and created some opportunities and maybe if we'd pinched one earlier could have changed things a little bit."

The Mariners managed to get good attacking value out wide from Ferreira on the right and another A-League debutant Mitch Austin on the left, with playmaker Anthony Caceres also prominent.

"For me, a marquee player has got to play really well to outdo Fabio, Caceres and Austin tonight, they were terrific going forward," Walmsley said.


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4 min read
Published 10 October 2015 5:01pm
Updated 10 October 2015 8:10pm
By SBS Staff
Source: SBS

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