The Central Coast Mariners took their home game against Macarthur on the road to Mudgee in a repeat fixture from last season.
Early signs were not good for CCM as Macarthur dominated play and scored early in the 11th minute from a through ball from Arzani to ex-Mariner Danny de Silva to score.
Both teams had opportunities to score but it was the Mariners who scored in the 30th minute. Christian Theoharous in his first game in the starting 11 laid a pass out to James McGarry. McGarry drove to his left with a shot that rocketed into the goal hitting the underside of the crossbar.
Theoharous was taking full advantage of getting more game time and was denied a goal of his own by the Macarthur goalkeeper.
The Mariners had a scare in the 40th minute when Macarthur's Arzani put another ball through this time to Hollman with only Danny Vukovic to beat. Vukovic forced Hollman a little wider than he would have liked and Hollman's shot dribbled just wide of the upright.
Scores were level at 1 a piece at half-time.
The Mariners started the second half with renewed purpose and it didn't take long for the home side to score in 47th minute. Balard drove into the Macarthur penalty box putting a pass in towards Tulio and Cummings. Tulio laid the ball on for Cummings who scored easily.
It only took another 4 minutes for Mariners to go up 3-1. A beautiful through ball from Theoharous after being fouled, saw Tulio convert with a wicked driving shot from outside the box into the left-side of the goal.
The scoring was not over with a 63rd minute penalty converted by Jason Cummings. Max Balard again was the creator by drawing a foul in the Macarthur penalty box as he drove in for another attacking raid.