John Aloisi scored a brace to give the Central Coast Mariners a 2-0 win over Adelaide United in the Hyundai A-League at Bluetongue Stadium on Saturday night.
The home side virtually coasted through the game, not reaching some of the sublime heights seen fleetingly, holding possesion and dictating play and Adelaide had no real answer on the night.
John Aloisi's first goal came from a penalty in the 49th minute when he was brought down in the box with a clicp of the legs by diving Adelaide goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic, after Aloisi was put through by Mile Jedinak. The famous penalty taker of World Cup qualification stepped up for his first chance in the A-League and sent Galekovic the wrong way, converting the Adelaide born star's first penalty and gaining his first goal - against his home town team, and was he pleased!
The Coast put the Reds on their heels right from the start with Aloisi and Brad Porter getting into positions to try their luck.
In the 9th minute however the dangerous Travis Dodd got a great ball in from the left to Diego Walsh but Tom Pondejak was alert and back to clear.
After Mile Jedinak had got forward only to send a weak header to Galekovic, in the 22nd minute Robert Cornthwaite sent in a cross from the right to Travis Dodd on the run, but the fringe Socceroo sent his snap shot over the crossbar.
In the 31st minute Tom Pondeljak leapt on the ball from a melee at the edge of the area and shot - Galekovic went down to it but it beat his grasp, spinning toward the right post where he caught up with it and covered the gap with his body.
The Mariners, crowd, media, almost all but the eastern Assistant Referee thought Matt Simon had scored six minutes later when John Hutchinson's double effort was pushed wide by Galekovic where John Aloisi crossed to the far post where Matt Simon lurked and headed in. Alas the goal was ruled offside.
Drama turned into farce when a quick free kick taken by the alert Adelaide keeper (with most Mariners players celebrating, including keeper Vukovic) was played into an off-side position by Cassio rather that wacking it downfield into an open goal.
Adalaide made a minor rally until the break, but the Mariners held them well.
Three minutes into the seciond half Aloisi got his penalty and ten minutes later John Hutchinson was knocked back a ball from battling Matt Simon, on the left and as the ball arrived he hit a first time cross. John Aloisi was the target and he beat Milan Susak to the ball, volleying it into the goal from 25 metres out. 2-0
In the 67th minute young Matt Simon sent a shot on target after a run on the left, but the Adelaide keeper made a diving one handed save to thwart him again.
Adelaide did have their chances on the break, with Olyroo 'keeper Danny Vukovic making a diving save of Diego in the 61st, saved from a shot that Cassio sent to the top left corner, and the custodian produced an equally good save to block a Kristian Sarkies free kick in the 88th minute.
"We've got the clean sheet and scored two goals at home and I think the way that we played was the most pleasing thing, it's probably the best ninety minutes that we've put together this season," said Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna. "Generally, we defended against them very well and we kept the ball very well and our movement was great." "We know that we've been playing patchy, but to play Adelaide, who play a great brand of football and to beat them reasonably comfortably just shows that we are a good team."
Next week the Mariners travel a long way west to take on the resurgent Perth Glory at Members Equity Stadium in Round 13 of the Hyundai A-League on Sunday, 18 November. Adelaide host their table partners Newcastle Jets next week, in a game that provides the opportunity for either to firm their grip on second place.