The points were shared at Industree Group Stadium on Sunday afternoon between the Mariners and Melbourne Victory in the Isuzu Ute A-League Men's competition.
The Mariners opened well and had a great opportunity in the 3rd minute. Will Wilson placed a great cross in toward Alou Kuol in front of goal. Unfortunately, Alou miss timed the shot with the ball going wide to the left.
Kuol was more certain with his next opportunity in the 16th minute. A back-pass by Victory saw Kuol put pressure on Roderick Miranda, stealing the ball from him just outside the penalty box. Kuol calmly took the ball toward goal, rounding Victory goalkeeper Izzo and converting the opportunity with his left-foot. 1-nil to the Mariners.
The game was evenly poised for the rest of the first half until Bruno Fornaroli scored what must become a contender for goal of the year. Fornaroli resisted pressure from Mariners defenders Brian Kaltak and Storm Roux to curl the ball from 25 metres out from the left corner of the penalty box into the top right hand corner.
There was only time for the Mariners to kick-off before the half-time whistle was blown. Score 1-all at half-time.
The second half started in the same manner as most of the second half had with the deadlock being broken in the 52nd minute.
Again it was another shot by a Victory player from outside the penalty area put into the top right-hand corner of the Mariner's goal. This time the scorer was Nishan Velupillay.
With some excellent substitutions, the Mariners seemed to be getting the upperhand and their efforts were rewarded with a penalty in the 73rd minute for a hand ball. Angel Torres stepped up and converyed the penalty to give him his first A-League for the season.
The Mariners had the best of the run of play for the rest of the game with Jacob Farrell, Miguel Di Pizio and Christian Theoharous all having opportunities for the Martiners.
Match ended with score being 2-all.
The Mariners Men's squad next play on Friday, 8th December at Industree Group Stadium in Gosford. Kick-off is at 7:45pm against Western United.