Central Coast Mariners 1-1 Sydney FC: Troy Hearfield steals a point

Troy Hearfield (Second from left) celebrates
Photo: Getty Images

A late Troy Hearfield header stole a point to earn Central Coast Mariners a 1-1 draw with Sydney FC at Bluetongue Stadium on Saturday evening.

With a slow start to the game the first chance came on 21 minutes when Nick Carle was played in by Bruno Cazarine but the Socceroo was denied by Mariners’ ‘keeper Mat Ryan.

Five minutes later Tomas Rogic for the hosts beat a couple defenders before curling an effort but Ivan Necevski made a great save.

From the resulting corner Adam Kwasnik had a great chance to open the scoring but headed straight into the hands of Necevski.

Central Coast continued to waste chances through Rogic and Michael McGlinchey.

A mistake by Patrick Zwaanswijk let in Brett Emerton but the Socceroo had his effort well blocked by Mariners’ Captain Alex Wilkinson.

Just after the break the crossbar denied Scott Jamieson’s curling effort to keep the game scoreless.

Joel Chianese (right) celebrates opening the scoring
Photo: FFA

Joel Chianese next found his way into the box but fired right at Ryan.

But on 56 minutes Chianese did make up for the miss when he opened the scoring. Carle’s effort was blocked on the line by a Mariners’ defender before Chianese finished to score his second A-League goal.

Three minutes later Bernie Ibini was forced wide by Necevski before shooting but the Nigerian born forward hit his effort into the side netting.

Mariners pushed for an equaliser with Ibini again but once again the hosts miss-fired.

Olivier Bozanic had a great chance for the hosts soon after but headed over.

On 78 minutes John Hutchinson and the Mariners had no luck when the Maltese International smashed an effort off the crossbar from distance.

But in stoppage time Central Coast took advantage of one of their chances and grabbed a point when an unmarked Troy Hearfield headed home from close range.

That point puts Central Coast three points clear of champions Brisbane Roar with three games to go. Sydney remains in seventh three points out of a finals position.

Report also here