Brisbane Roar has played out a gripping draw with Central Coast Mariners in Gosford on Sunday evening.
Both sides found the back of the net in the first half before chances went begging at both ends of the park in the second stanza in the 1-1 draw.
The result extends the Roar’s unbeaten run against the Mariners to 14 matches.
The home side got off to the perfect start, finishing off a rapid counter attack to open the scoring in just the third minute.
The Mariners carved the game’s early chances, but the Roar warmed to the occasion & finished the first half strongly.
Match Highlights: Central Coast vs Brisbane Roar
Adam Taggart went ever so close late in the half with a strike off the underside of the crossbar before Luke DeVere restored parity on the stroke of half-time with a close-range header.
The Roar looked to take that momentum into the second period as Connor O’Toole nearly capped off a wonderful solo effort with a goal from a tight angle, before the game developed into a gritty, hard-fought contest.
Both sides pushed hard in the final stages in search of a go-ahead goal.
Brisbane’s defence stood strong a number of times to deny the Mariners a clear shot at goal from inside the area before Dylan Wenzel-Halls also forced Ben Kennedy into a strong save in second-half stoppage time.
Both teams were forced to settle for a point with Brisbane now turning their attention to Friday night’s clash against the Wanderers back at Suncorp Stadium (6:50pm KO). Get your tickets HERE.
STORY OF THE GAME
- The Mariners opened the scoring just three minutes into the contest off the boot of Matthew Millar.
- Luke DeVere struck from close range in the first half’s final stages — his first goal since October 2016.
- The Mariners had a second-half penalty shout waved away by the on-field officials, as well as the VAR.
GOALS
Central Coast Mariners — Millar 3’— 1-0
The home side launch on the counter down the left wing before moving play centrally where the ball finds Matthew Millar who finishes coolly past Jamie Young.
Brisbane Roar — DeVere 45′ — 1-1
Luke DeVere times his run perfectly to meet an in-swinging corner at the back post, heading home from close range.
MATCH DETAILS
Hyundai A-League 2018/19 – Round 14: Central Coast Mariners v Brisbane Roar
Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Sunday, 20 January
Central Coast Mariners 1 (Millar 3′)
Brisbane Roar 1 (DeVere 45′)
Half-time: 1-1
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