Not every game can be a masterpiece.
Sometimes to appreciate the spectacular matches and moments we have to endure those which are at times anything but inspiring.
Western Sydney Wanderers 2 – 0 Central Coast Mariners
As Simon Hill mentioned before the game – these sides met in a Grand Final six years ago and are now battling for bragging rights at the foot of the table.
After weeks of heartbreak and embarrassment this was a fixture the Western Sydney Wanderers could sink their teeth into with a loss edging them closer to the bottom of the table.
Though the home side put any fears of another humiliating loss to rest when they struck a blow right on the cusp of half-time with Tarek Elrich’s cross beating everyone – including Ben Kennedy and found its way into the back of the net.
Former NPL golden boot winner Jordan Murray had the best chance for the Central Coast Mariners to equalise but was denied by Vedran Janjetovic who was not going to let any silly errors ruin this afternoon for Wanderers fans.
The home side had the win sealed in the 77th minute when Roly Bonevacia played Jaushua Sotirio through who, at full speed, composed himself and placed the ball into the bottom corner with his left foot.
The win being Western Sydney’s first for 2019 and ends a nine-match win-less run.
Melbourne City 1 – 1 Adelaide United
Despite both managers having shiny new strikers in their starting line-up chances were few and far between as the points were shared between Melbourne City and Adelaide United.
In what could be one of the fixtures in the opening week of the finals – Adelaide United travelled to AAMI Park to face a City side with January signings Jamie Maclaren and Shayon Harrison named in the starting eleven.
Adelaide meanwhile named Jordy Thomassen up front for his A-League debut.
While the Reds were busy nullifying Maclaren, 21-year-old Harrison was receiving plenty of the ball and could have had a debut goal had he listened to the crowd and not laid it off whenever he was in range.
Despite City having the better of the chances early it was Adelaide United who capitalised right at the end of the first half as Nikola Mileusnic found Craig Goodwin whose header crept over the line after bouncing off the crossbar for the opening goal.
Though this lead was short-lived after the break as fatigue began to creep in for the visitors and City took full advantage as Jamie Maclaren’s backheel goal from two-yards out got City back in the game after forcing a rare turnover from Paul Izzo.
While both sides have been renowned for stoppage time winners this season a late goal was unlikely in this fixture as both sides settled for what both coaches agreed was an important point.
