Melbourne City have crashed down to earth after a promising spell of four unbeaten games, losing 2-0 to Central Coast Mariners at Gosford Stadium.
The Sky Blues never recovered from a quickfire Mitch Duke brace early in the contest, and their woes were compounded when ‘keeper Tando Velaphi received his marching orders in the second half.
City were controlling possession early, but the Mariners scored on the counter in the 12th minute, with Trifiro skipping past Mooy and slipping Duke through on goal who made no mistake with the far post finish.
With the goal giving the lowly Mariners much needed confidence, and City’s defence leaving much to be desired, Duke struck again when when Richard Vernes scrapped in the box and teed up the striker for a powerful finish following a poor defensive clearance.
Aaron Mooy then made a crucial block to deny Anthony Caceres after Duke was again allowed to run past a number of defenders and pass the ball into a dangerous area.
The in-form Mooy then worked hard to get forward and tee up fellow midfielder Robi Koren, who was denied by the outstretched arm of Liam Reddy.
Koren had another chance to pull a goal back after David Williams won possession off the Mariners’ ‘keeper and passed to Damian Duff, but the Slovenian skied his first time effort following Duff’s ball into the box.
Both Koren and Mooy were again in the thick of the action as City piled on late first half pressure, but Reddy again stood tall to fingertip the latter’s header onto the post after a pinpoint cross from the former.
Josh Rose almost gifted the visitors a lifeline after break, failing to clear a speculative cross into the box, but Mooy’s left foot follow up was hit straight at Reddy.
That was as good as it got for City, with Tando Velaphi – who had just worked his way into cementing a first team spot – came off his line and bodychecked Duke who was through on goal with the visitors playing a high line.
His replacement, Andrew Redmayne, was made to work almost straight away, tipping a trademark bullet Eddie Bosnar free kick over the bar minutes later.
Paartalu almost scored his 4th headed goal of the season, rising to meet Mooy’s set piece, but Reddy was again a one man wall in Central Coast’s goal.
The Mariners had one last chance to add a cherry on top of a sweet performance, but Matt Sim missed an open header after coming off the bench.
Central Coast Mariners 2 (Duke 12′, 27′) defeated Melbourne City 0 at Gosford Stadium
Central Coast: 12. Liam REDDY (GK), 3. Josh ROSE, 4. Jacob POSCOLIERO, 5. Zachary ANDERSON, 7. John HUTCHINSON (c), 9. Mitchell DUKE (14. Travis MAJOR 60′) , 10. Anthony CACERES, 17. Richard VERNES (11. Nick FITZGERALD 52′), 18. Glen TRIFIRO, 23. Isaka CERNAK (15. Matthew SIM 81′), 25. Eddy BOSNAR
Unused Substitutes: 1. Matthew NASH (GK), 2. Storm ROUX
Yellow Cards: Poscoliero 29′
Red Cards: None
Melbourne City: 20. Tando VELAPHI (GK), 3. Robbie WIELAERT, 5. Erik PAARTALU, 6. Aaron MOOY, 10. Robi KOREN (1. Andrew REDMAYNE 61′), 11. Damien DUFF, 15. David WILLIAMS, 19. Ben GARUCCIO, 23. Mate DUGANDZIC (14. James BROWN 52′),24. Patrick KISNORBO, 27. Ross ARCHIBALD (13.Jonatan GERMANO 46)
Unused Subs: 7. Iain RAMSAY, 18. Paulo RETRE
Yellow Cards: Brown 71′
Red Cards: Velaphi 58′