A BIZARRE first half incident helped the Western NSW Mariners to its third win of the National Premier Leagues 3 season in Mudgee on Saturday night, downing Stanmore Hawks 3-0.
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Just 12 minutes into the contest, Stanmore Hawks goalkeeper Matthew McKenzie turned over the ball to Mariners’ striker Jaiden Culbert inside the box.
He then tackled Culbert as he attempted to win the ball back and as a result, was shown a straight red card.
“Jaiden ran into the box, I think he [goalkeeper] was playing around with it and then it was almost like a rugby league tackle,” Mariners skipper Adam Scimone said.
“The ref had no choice, he was last man and Jaiden was in control of the ball. He gave the ’keeper a straight red, it was a great start from us and that made it a whole lot better.
“Unfortunately their right back took the gloves and saved the penalty first up from Matty Hobby – we didn’t expect him to be that good, he did the job for them really well.”
Stanmore’s replacement goalkeeper Peter Theodosi continued to frustrate the Mariners after making an impressive block from the spot kick.
The hosts created plenty of attacking chances, but did not show enough patience and got frustrated when the goals did not come.
However, the half-time break offered the Mariners a chance to find some composure.
“Once the red card came everyone got really excited, we were trying to score off every play,” Scimone said.
“We went into the sheds at half-time nil-all, so we had a chat. It was pretty simple, keep patient, keep the ball and it will come and the goals did.”
John Henry opened scoring for the Mariners after his free kick cannoned into the Hawks’ defensive wall and deflected back towards him.
He then slotted his second attempt into the top left corner to make it 1-0 as the game neared the hour mark.
His effort was followed by a double from winger Hobby, who found the mark in the 80th minute and again on the stroke of full-time to make it 3-0.
It was the second time this season the Mariners had upset the Hawks – adding to a 2-1 win in round three – and gave the club’s bid to avoid relegation a good boost as well.
The 12 club championship points the first grade side earned by beating Stanmore means the Mariners are now 32 clear of last-placed club Granville.
“Overall it was a great team performance, I guess the rub of the green went our way for once,” Scimone said.
“It’s very dangerous when a side goes down to 10 men because they lift, so it was a bit of a mental battle for us as well as physical, but we got the job done.
“It was not just the three points, but the 12 points we got for club champs. It was good for the confidence and after the game everyone was happy.”
The Mariners will be at home again this Saturday, hosting Dunbar Rovers.
