Simon on the spot to save Mariners, Roar winless in six

By Sports Desk March 14, 2021

Matt Simon scored a 90th-minute penalty as A-League leaders Central Coast Mariners scrambled for a 2-2 home draw against Perth Glory. 

In soaking wet conditions, which caused kick-off to be delayed by half an hour and left puddles on the pitch, lowly Perth threatened to snatch a shock win. 

The home side did go ahead in the 25th minute when Daniel De Silva's shot was parried by Liam Reddy and Marco Urena turned in the rebound from a tight angle to the left of goal. 

Bruno Fornaroli dragged Perth level in the 41st minute with a deft header from Neil Kilkenny's cross, and the visitors edged ahead with 14 minutes remaining when Nick D'Agostino hit a crisp shot into the bottom left corner. 

That was Fornaroli's 10th A-League goal against the Mariners, making them his second favourite opponent, behind Newcastle Jets, against whom he has scored 11 times. 

Central Coast pushed for a leveller and were rewarded when Luke Bodnar manhandled Simon inside the six-yard box, with the spot-kick awarded following a VAR check. 

Simon slotted into the bottom right corner, giving Mariners a point that nudged them six clear of second-placed Adelaide United, yet the result halted their three-game winning streak at home.

Dylan Pierias headed Western United to a 1-0 home win over Brisbane Roar. 

The persistence of Pierias paid off after he was twice denied by Roar goalkeeper Jamie Young earlier in the game, with the 21-year-old stooping to expertly guide home a cross from Alessandro Diamanti in the 72nd minute. 

Pierias headed the ball across goal and into the left corner, with former West Ham and Bologna midfielder Diamanti getting a sixth assist of the season, matching Kilkenny for a league high. 

For the Roar, it was a sixth successive A-League game without a win.

Related items

  • Cooper seeking answers from Premier League after Mateta sucker punch Cooper seeking answers from Premier League after Mateta sucker punch

    Leicester City manager Steve Cooper wants the Premier League to provide clear evidence as to why Jean Philippe Mateta's first goal was given in their 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace.

    Mateta netted a brace to deny Leicester their first win of the season, but his first goal was originally flagged as offside before it was overturned after a VAR review.

    Cooper's side had performed brilliantly to take a two-goal advantage up to that point, with goals from Jamie Vardy and Stephy Mavididi putting them in a comfortable position.

    However, the Leicester boss was left with a sour taste in his mouth, confirming he wants greater clarity on why Palace's first goal was awarded.

    "I really want to see the image that says that was definitely onside because at the moment we have a few questions to ask of the Premier League," Cooper said. 

    He wanted to take the positives from the encounter, but could not deny that the late Mateta equaliser from the penalty spot was a painful one to take.

    "There's definitely loads of good in the game, but if I'm being honest, it feels like a loss," Cooper added.

    "Sometimes a point away from home ends up being really important, it might not feel like it at the moment, but it might be. 

    "We just needed to manage those moments after going 2-0 up, which we didn't quite do."

    Palace boss Oliver Glasner was also disappointed to only pick up a point but praised their character after coming back from two goals down to avoid a third loss in their opening four league matches.

    Glasner said: "We are not happy with the point, but I'm really pleased and delighted with the spirit and the character of the players again.

    "With the great support from the stand, we had a very good belief today, and with a great impact also from our subs, and let's say all this together, keeping the belief, having a great support from the stand, and having a good impact from our subs. Then we came back. I think it's a compliment for the team for this comeback."

    The Austrian was also pleased with his two debutants, Maxence Lacroix and Eddie Nketiah, with both featuring for the entirety of the match.

    “Maxence was solid, and also we could see that it was his first competitive game for a very long time in some parts, but he was solid," said Glasner.

    "Eddie showed what he showed during training, what we expected from him: he always can threaten the goals.

    "He was a little bit unlucky with the two or three finishes he had, but he had good movements, and also before the very important penalty, he made this run and blocked the defender."

  • Rodgers pleased with Engles debut as Celtic continue perfect start Rodgers pleased with Engles debut as Celtic continue perfect start

    Brendan Rodgers was encouraged by Arne Engels' debut after he scored from the penalty spot to continue Celtic's perfect start to the Scottish Premiership season with a 2-0 victory over Hearts. 

    After dominating the opening exchanges, the hosts were offered the chance to take the lead from 12 yards early in the second half. 

    Nicolas Kuhn's cross was blocked by the hand of James Penrice, with Engels making no mistake from the spot to net his first Celtic goal since his switch from Augsburg. 

    Luke McCowan confirmed the triumph in the 89th minute, also scoring his first goal for the club, with Rodgers pleased with the pair, but showering particular praise on Engels.

    "He's here playing in the eight position," Rodgers said. "He's here with legs and energy and power, he should be able to score goals for us. A good performance from him."

    But the encounter could have taken on a much different complexion after the visitors were awarded a penalty of their own in the first half. 

    Lawrence Shankland's header came off Liam Scales' arm, only for VAR to overturn the decision, and Rodgers believed the right call was eventually made.

    "When the referee gives it, it’s always going to be looked at," Rodgers said.

    "The ball hits Liam Scales up towards the shoulder on that sleeve part and that’s not a penalty. By the rule, the officials were correct."

    Rodgers' side are top of the table with 15 points, ahead of Aberdeen on goal difference, and return to Champions League action on Wednesday when they welcome Slovan Bratislava to Celtic Park in their opening match of the competition. 

  • Ten Hag hails 'ketchup bottle' Rashford after ending goal drought Ten Hag hails 'ketchup bottle' Rashford after ending goal drought

    Erik ten Hag saluted "ketchup bottle" Marcus Rashford after the Manchester United forward ended his goal drought in their victory at Southampton.

    Rashford doubled United's lead at St Mary's when he curled a 20-yard effort past Aaron Ramsdale, while Matthijs de Ligt and Alejandro Garnacho were also on target for the visitors.

    It was the 26-year-old's 132nd goal for the club, but first since he found the net in the Red Devils' FA Cup victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford.

    Rashford was the subject of criticism for his performance in United's 3-0 defeat against the Reds prior to the international break.

    However, Ten Hag felt that "negativity" was unjustified and is backing his forward to build momentum, referencing an analogy once utilised by Cristiano Ronaldo. 

    "It's very important we don't pay attention to what the outside world is saying, but there was too much negativity about him," the Dutchman said of Rashford.

    "He created two great chances in that game [the defeat to Liverpool]. In other games this season, he has played very well.

    "He deserved that goal [against Southampton], but he had to work for it. That is what he is doing, and then you get a reward.

    "Once, a striker was talking about a ketchup bottle; once it's going, it’s coming more."

    "He has already scored so many goals for Manchester United. At his age, the number of goals is amazing, and I'm sure he will score many more goals."

© 2024 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.