Mariners down Phoenix 1-0 at Gosford

Central Coast Mariners fought doggedly to protect a 1-0 half time lead to fend off
Wellington Phoenix in a pulsating A-League match in Gosford on Sunday.
Mariners coach Graham Arnold was happy to cement a place in the finals but sought
improvement to grab a top-two finish, the Mariners only four points behind Adelaide
with three games in hand.
The Phoenix had started the match at a cracker jack pace and almost had a two-goal
advantage, but for solid keeping by Mariners teenage Matt Ryan, in the first five
minutes.
"I thought (our) first six minutes were poor," Arnold said. "They had four
chances and for us to go to another level we have to start better than that."
Kiwi international Michael McGlinchey brought the crowd of 6844 crowd to their feet
at the 41 minute mark with a well finished strike to send the home team to the break
in front.
Mariners Midfielder Patricio Perez dribbled at the defence before laying off to
Joshua Rose on the left. Rose cut the ball back for McGlinchey who right footed the
ball past former Mariners custodian Danny Vukovic at his near post.
Early second half substitutions by Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert injected some fire
and enthusiasm into the visitors resolve but the Mariners repelled their opposition
with guile and stoic defending.
But the Phoenix coach rued a possible first half penalty where he felt Mariners
stopper Patrick Zwaanswijk fouled Marco Rojas.
"I think we started brightly," he said.
"Might have been different with an obvious penalty. You've got to roll with those I
guess."
Daniel and Leo Bertos added fresh legs to flanks soon after the interval while Chris
Greenacre chased hard upfront when injected in to the game soon on the hour.
Mariners midweek recruit Michael Baird made his debut off the bench in the 63rd minute.