Pondeljak Magic Seals Mariners win

A brilliant double from Tom Pondeljak has led the Central Coast Mariners to a thrilling 2-1 victory over Perth Glory in Gosford tonight.

The intensely even contest looked set for a draw until Pondeljak turned home the 86th minute winner, but the Glory will be as concerned about injuries to key duo Jason Petkovic and Simon Colosimo as they will about the result.

Lawrie McKinna made just one change following the tremendous win against Sydney FC with Adam Kwasnik replacing the injured John Hutchinson, while the absence of David Tarka meant a place in the Glory line up for Paul Pezos.

And with just ninety seconds on the clock Kwasnik was looking to make an immediate impression with a darting down the right before sliding the ball across the area to the waiting Pondeljak, the talented midfielder producing a simply brilliant back heeled finish past a stunned Petkovic to give the Mariners a perfect start.

After a frantic opening by the home side Perth began to get back in the game largely through the industry of Colosimo, but despite half chances to Despotovski and Young there had yet to be a true test for Danny Vukovic in goal.

The Central Coast managed the next meaningful attack when excellent passes from Pondeljak and Petrie set up Kwasnik in the area who was dispossessed, the ball eventually finding its way to Damian Mori whose angled drive was beaten away by Petkovic.

Pondeljak was clearly in the mood and after latching on to Kwasnik’s knock down the former Glory man audaciously tried to lob Petkovic from outside the area only for the Glory no.1 to re-position himself well to make a comfortable save.

The Mariners started the 2nd stanza with continued determination but Perth always looked dangerous on the break, and in the 58th minute they achieved exactly what Ron Smith was looking for.

Stan Lazaridis had been having a quiet night by his standards but his cross found Young in the area who laid it off to Colosimo, the midfielder’s stinging drive forcing Vukovic into a fine save which fell straight to Despotovski who calmly converted his first of the A-League season.

Lazaridis had suddenly burst into the match and from a trademark cross Despotovski managed a header on goal, however this time Vukovic kept out last season’s player of the year.

Wayne O’Sullivan on as a substitute nearly made an instantaneous impact with a dipping volley from the edge of the area that was tipped over by a stretched Petkovic, and that would prove to be his last save for the foreseeable future.

The Glory keeper found himself on the wrong end of a collision with both current and former team mates in Simon Colosimo and Damian Mori, Petkovic having to be stretchered off with what would later prove to be a broken leg.

With time running out the Mariners were looking to gain the momentum needed to win the match, and O’Sullivan’s cross was met by Petrie only to see the Scotsman’s header fly well over.

However moments later after being fed by McMaster O’Sullivan again delivered a cross which this time deflected perfectly into the path of Pondeljak, the no.10 clinically drilling home his second past substitute keeper Aleks Vrteski to the sheer delight of the home crowd.

Young had a glorious chance to salvage a point when he was left alone in the area, but his drive was straight at Vukovic who held on to the frustration of the visitors.

Because of the injury to Petkovic there was a stunning 9 minutes of additional time for Perth to snatch an equaliser, and the Central Coast set out in numbers to defend desperately.

The Glory had another opportunity when Despotovski whipped in a cross from the right, but Lazaridis simply couldn’t find the room for a shot and eventually laid it back to Webster who fired harmlessly over.

Despotovski was looking to add another heroic moment to his illustrious career but after superbly making room his fierce drive from distance fizzed past the post to the relief of Vukovic, and the Mariners held on to record back to back victories for the first time this season.

Perth Glory will feel unjustly done by the result and will have to contend with their trip to Sydney next week without long term absentee Jason Petkovic, while the Mariners begin their four week road trip against the Queensland Roar.

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