James Virgili of the Jets competes with Joshua Rose of the Mariners during their round 23 A-League clash. Photo / Getty Images
Goals from Matt Simon and veteran midfielder John Hutchinson secured a 2-0 win for Central Coast Mariners in Sunday's low-key A-League NSW derby clash with a depleted Newcastle Jets at EnergyAustralia Stadium.
Despite bright sunshine and a season-high crowd of 13,467, neither side were able to dominate proceedings in a
drab affair, with little in the way of quality on display from either side.
It was the one moment of true class in the opening period that gave the Mariners the lead at halftime when Simon finished superbly on the quarter-hour mark after the usually reliable Nikolai Topor-Stanley misjudged a flighted ball from Oliver Bozanic.
Hutchinson, who has failed to get a regular start in Graham Arnold's side this season, wrapped up the win six minutes from time with a cool finish from the edge of the box after coming off the bench.
The win moved the Mariners above Adelaide United and up to second on the ladder, but for the Jets, who remain in sixth spot, there were more injury woes when skipper Kasey Wehrman limped off with an ankle problem after just five minutes.
Newcastle boss Branko Culina said before the game his side could not cope with any further injury setbacks with 12 senior players already on the sidelines and key defender Ljubo Milicevic departing midweek to try to find a club in Europe.
The former Sydney FC coach switched to a 4-3-3 formation midway through the first half in a bold attempt to get back into the game, and his side should have restored parity in the 18th minute when Labinot Haliti shot straight at Mat Ryan when well placed.
An unmarked Haliti missed another great opportunity just before halftime when he lazily attempted to flick the ball past Ryan with the outside of his foot after Ryan Griffiths robbed Pedj Bojic and crossed into the box.
The second half started in similar fashion, with chances at a premium from both sides.
An enthusiastic, but limited Jets side were better after the interval, but were unable to find a cutting edge in the final third, despite some enterprising midfield play from Griffiths and Ruben Zadkovich.
Zadkovich stung the palms of Ryan with a well-struck effort midway through the second period but it was the best his side could muster as they slipped to only their second home defeat of the season.
- AAP
