Before a crowd of more than 10,000 saw our determined Mariners finish the 2022 Calendar year with a 2-1 win against Melbourne Victory in Gosford. The win places our Mariners to be 2nd on the ladder behind Melbourne City with other games still to be played over the NYE weekend.
A brace to Jason Cummings in the 11th and 53rd minutes was enough to get the home side the full three points but it could have well been a hat-trick or more for our talented striker.
The first of Jason's goals started with an excellent pass from Garang Kuol to Storm Roux. Storm worked himself to make some room to put an excellent looped cross into the goal area. It was met superbly by Jason with a powerful header that gave the Victory goalkeeper no chance to save.
Seven minutes later in a goal mouth scramble, it looked like Cummings had his second. After some delay the referee disallowed the goal after a VAR check and somewhat contentious off-side call. Paramount+ commentators called that Jason's heel was in an off-side position.
Victory piled on the pressure which brought Danny Vukovic into the picture to deny the visitors with several excellent saves. The end to end action continued with Brian Kaltak prominent in cutting out a number of the dark blue’s raids.
There was nothing that the Mariners defence could do shortly before half-time when the Victory left-back Cadette chanced his hand with a serving left footed shot into Vukovic’s top corner.
The Mariners defence was solid all evening with Brian Kaltak and Storm Roux having great games.
In the 53rd minute, a well-taken corner by Tulio found Kaltak lurking on the far side. His downward header bounced temptingly for Cummings to flick home again with his head.
The Mariners may well have had another in the 67th minute after a delightful ball by Garang Kuol put Josh Nisbet into clear space. Josh was brought down by Victory's goalkeeper Acton with the referee initially ruling a penalty. Again the VAR reversed the referee's decision ruling that Acton had made contact with the ball.
This game was the last for Garang Kuol for the Mariners before he heads to Europe after being signed by EPL side Newcastle United. When he was substituted in the 78th minute the fans gave the highly talented player a standing ovation. Young Kuol had played his part in the Mariners march to the win.
The next game is another home game in Gosford against Adelaide United on 7th January with kick-off scheduled for 5pm.