A five-star performance has earned Brisbane Roar a strong win over the Central Coast Mariners in Gosford on Saturday night.
A pulsating contest finished in the Roar’s favour with four different goal scorers finding the back of the net for the visitors with some simply exquisite finishing on display.
A proud Darren Davies praised his side’s performance in a highly-entertaining and frenetic affair.
“We’re good for entertainment & I’m over the moon for the boys. The first three goals were fantastic…and we went on and scored a couple more too,” Davies said post-match.
“I thought we were the better side, but it was a shootout.”
“It’s so pleasing for the players, they came down here positive and got a very good result. Actions speak louder than words, the boys have bought in together & it was fantastic.”
Eric Bautheac opened the scoring with a Goal of the Season contender, acrobatically finishing past Ben Kennedy on the half-hour mark before Alex Lopez put in his own contender with a wickedly struck first-time volley.
WOW! Absolutely incredible finish from our Frenchman! ?
? @FOXFOOTBALL#CCMvBRI #RoarAsOne pic.twitter.com/cYzptL6maE
— Brisbane Roar (@brisbaneroar) February 22, 2019
Connor Pain sliced the margin in half minutes later, but then it was Tobias Mikkelsen’s turn to show off his attacking abilities, perfectly placing a glancing header into the bottom corner.
The scoring wasn’t done yet for the first half as Aiden O’Neill again cut the margin to one in first-half stoppage time. O’Neill would be one of two Mariners sent off in the second half for a second bookable offence, alongside Matt Simon who was given his marching orders in second-half stoppage time.
Lopez’s second of the night, a well-placed finish into the bottom corner, restored the visitor’s two-goal lead before Dylan Wenzel-Halls netted his third goal in four games to seemingly secure the points for the Roar.
Jordan Murray bagged a late consolation goal for the home side, but the Roar had done enough to secure their first away win of Season 2018/19.
A split round in Round 21 means our next clash is a return to Suncorp Stadium to face Western Sydney Wanderers on Friday, 8 March (6:50pm KO). Get your tickets HERE.
STORY OF THE GAME
- The Roar’s youngest ever player Izaack Powell was introduced in the 23rd minute for his second Hyundai A-League appearance in place of Dane Ingham. Daniel Leck also played his first minutes of the season, coming off the bench in the second half.
- Four different scorers found the net for the Roar with two stunning strikes in the first half from Eric Bautheac & Alex Lopez.
- The Mariners finished with nine men following red cards to Aiden O’Neill & Matt Simon.
- The win is the Roar’s first on the road for the 2018/19 season, and their second in three matches.
GOALS
Brisbane Roar – Bautheac 32′ – 0-1
Dylan Wenzel-Halls picks out Eric Bautheac’s diagonal run into the area, which is beautifully controlled off the chest of the Frenchman before he pulls off an acrobatic finish.
Brisbane Roar – Lopez 36′ – 0-2
Alex Lopez times a first-time strike to perfection, connecting beautifully with a dipping ball & beating Kennedy for sheer pace from the edge of the area.
Central Coast Mariners – Pain 38′ – 1-2
The Mariners break quickly from a free-kick as Connor Pain is found inside the area with a cross from the right wing, finishing well with a header from close range.
Brisbane Roar – Mikkelsen 45′ – 1-3
Tobias Mikkelsen is found inside the area, glancing a header across the face of goal which nestles inside the right post.
Central Coast Mariners – O’Neill 45+2′ – 2-3
Two Mariners link up with a one-two outside the area which is then finished off with a well-placed first-time strike from Aiden O’Neill.
Brisbane Roar – Lopez 54′ – 2-4
Lopez is afforded too much space as he charges towards the area before cutting on to his right & firing into the bottom corner.
Brisbane Roar – Wenzel-Halls 75′ – 2-5
Wenzel-Halls is played through behind the Mariners line setting up a one-on-one chance against Kennedy & he comes out on top, finishing through the keeper’s legs.
Central Coast Mariners – Murray 83′ – 3-5
A half-clearance from the Roar is headed back into the mixer before Jordan Murray’s header across goal finds the back of the net off the inside of the post.
MATCH DETAILS
Hyundai A-League 2018/19 – Round 20: Central Coast Mariners v Brisbane Roar
Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Friday, 22 February
Central Coast Mariners 3 (Pain 38′, O’Neill 45+2′, Murray 83′)
Brisbane Roar 5 (Bautheac 32′, Lopez 36′, 54′, Mikkelsen 45′, Wenzel-Halls 75′)
Half-time: 2-3
