Central Coast Mariners 0 Sydney FC 0
An evening of singing, shouting and putting hands over eyes saw Sydney FC’s once-dominant and free-scoring team stumble to a goalless draw against the Central Coast Mariners who could barely believe the lack of firepower from their illustrious opponents. With Jada Whyman and Charlotte Mclean ensuring that the Sky Blues would once again keep a clean sheet, it was the other end of the field that was the source of much conjecture as the game wore on and it became obvious that there was not even a hint of a goal coming. A fantastic day on the Central Coast, a favourite away day for Sydney, and only the result marred a thoroughly entertaining spectacle at the most picturesque stadium in Australia.
Backing up from a huge night of FA Cup action, when we should have been in Brisbane, we were treated to a lift up to Gosford from our L-Plater, keen to get to the hallowed 120 hours. Sticking at the 90kmh mark all the way meant the journey took a little longer than usual, but the vision of Central Coast Stadium as we approached our destination, shimmering in the sun with Ante out on the field, was a sight to behold.
The Gosford Hotel, or Hotel Gosford, recently refreshed once more, was the spot for pre-match refreshment, a familiar face Ray from national team games making an appearance, just passing, not even going to the game – he’s a man with many stories to tell. The march of three through the underground carpark was entertaining, and we realised that we should have gone to the Bay Road brewery, which was less rammed than usual and might have been a cool alternative, being only a stone’s throw from the main gate.
The gate was fairly deserted, the stewards directing us through with varied success, but there were already a lot of people inside, and we went up to the concourse level, meeting the wonderfully quirky Marvin and looking on in wonder as Kyah Simon sat signing autographs in a relaxed atmosphere under the Mariners’ marquee. On one hand it must be grating that the Matildas star has to sit out another week of football, on the other it must be great that she can meet and greet her adoring public without the usual crowd of impatient selfie-seekers.
The players warmed up in their pre-match grey kits under our watchful eyes, the inseparable Dos Santos sisters sliding the ball to each other with effortless precision. Super-fan MMTV, fresh from Brisbane, was in place with fluffy drumsticks ready to generate some noise for the Sky Blues, Rose from TLL, Julia from Football Australia, it was a veritable who’s who of football. The cavalry arrived on their way back from Brisbane, and Michelle received a present for her birthday before the players appeared for the pre-game formalities.
Blue and yellow smoke filled the air as “We Are Sydney…” drifted across the players from the home end, the Yellow Army finally getting into place. The PA system may or may not have been cranked up to drown us out, but we were still going as the game kicked off, and we were full of optimism despite the shaky set of results recently.
The realisation that we were in the bay where we have cooked in 40-degree heat in years gone by dawned and sun cream was applied, Central Coast Stadium looking beautiful in the late afternoon sun.
You can watch the highlights if you’ve literally got nothing better to do, as there weren’t that many. Sydney had a half-chance when Princess Ibini forced her defender into passing the ball the wrong side of her goalkeeper, Kirtsy Fenton met a corner from Mackenzie Hawkesby with probably the Sky Blues’ best chance of the half, and Sydney showed plenty of endeavour, but very little in the way of invention. Aideen Keane ploughed a lone furrow up front, and the lack of numbers upfield did nothing to give the visitors much possession in the opposition half.
Mariners should have scored in the first half, Whyman saving with her legs from right in front, a yard either side of her and the home team would have been ahead. The away fans were in fine voice, capo Michelle in her element on her 21st birthday, and half-time was a chance to rest and go fetch some water from the concourse. This was thirsty work, and the players and coaches seemed to need a breather too, with tempers getting frayed in the warm sun.
“Come on you girls in blue…” was the cry as the one-man upper tier roared back at the Cove down below, this was superb. One very young Cove member kept tutting every time he was instructed to put his hands in the air – not again – and the mood in the visitors’ section was one of fun and laughter as the frenetic drumming during the SFC viking clap reached a level never seen before. An absolute revelation, so far into the season, as we were informed that it is actually Super Sydney FC and not Sing for Sydney FC. Incredible that we’d been singing it wrong all season.
Now playing into the wind and with super-striker Fenton back where she belongs, we would do our best to will the team on to victory. Taylor Ray and Abby Lemon were on too as Ante tried to mix things up.
Both sides had half-chances during the second half, the Mariners wasteful with theirs, and the lack of fitness seemed to be Sydney’s downfall, Princess Ibini unable to get any power on her shot to trouble the goalkeeper, and the industrious Fenton bundled through two tackles on the right, but couldn’t find a teammate with the cross-shot that went out for a goal kick.
Sydney played quite a risky formation – there were often moments when they were totally outnumbered at the back but the home team couldn’t take advantage. Whyman was dominant in goal, and when Mclean was caught up field leaving only two defenders back, she was quick to race out and foil the break, and Lemon had to make a last ditch tackle on more than one occasion. Tori Tumeth looked exhausted but kept plugging away, and the loose passes from last week at Leichhardt were there for all to see again, unforced turnovers from both sides making this a difficult game to enjoy. When Hawkesby scuffed a corner into the side-netting, it wasn’t going to be our day, and the introduction of the two wonder sisters couldn’t do anything to change the game either.
The final whistle was met with a few cheers from the home team, but at least warm applause from the visiting fans after we had seen our team battle well, despite the obvious lack of quality in the final third.
In a twist that will have the parents of young kids from our home games huffing and puffing, the players all came over to join the away section, taking the time for selfies and signatures with everyone, home fans included. Should have come to Gosford then, shouldn’t you? Nat Tobin updated us on her injury situation after being regaled with her favourite chant, Cortnee Vine stopped for an extended chat and seemed more relaxed than she does surrounded by hordes of young fans. This was lovely, definitely adds a shine to an away trip.
The sun was on its way down as the players left the area, the scene even more magical with the palm trees against the colourful sky. We finally left for home, down the steps, around the corner to the big car park, and out into the streets of Gosford with our expert learner driver in command at the wheel.
We were back in Sydney some time after 9.30pm, weary but happy after another instalment of Central Coast Away. Whilst the football may not have captured our imagination, and even the canon didn’t get a work out today, this was a thoroughly enjoyable trip up the coast to frame the festive period. It’s time to go back to work.
Thanks for reading this far. If you weren’t at the game, hopefully you’ll have a feel for what it was like, and you’ll be convinced to make the pilgrimage next time we play a game nearby in NSW. Forza Sydney FC!