BY THE PALM TREES

Brilliant turnout from Central Coast Mariners fans at the F3 Derby last Sunday. Some say we hadn’t seen that many travel to Newcastle since our team played semi-finals there.

We’d like to think the presence of the loud and proud yellow clad fans was part of the reason our boys held on for the draw, even after going a man down with around 25 minutes still to play. In the first half the Mariners dominated the possession and the positive play and while the Jets did come up with a couple of sharp chances, Paul Okon would have been the happier of the coaches at the break. Upon the restart, Newcastle played with a renewed intensity, combating the Mariners dominance and establishing some of their own. With the match ascendance in the balance, the referee issued his first cards of the game and when Liam Rose received his second yellow in less than ten minutes, the contest was virtually ended as a competitive spectacle.

Before the relieving win in Adelaide, I was hopeful we could come up with four points from the last three matches (Adelaide / Wellington / Newcastle). Leaving Adelaide it was easy to be convinced we could take as many as nine points from the three matches, but our trip to Canberra quickly brought us back to the reality that we still have a lot to do to be consistent and competitive. In Newcastle the team turned around the average performance in Canberra and showed they still have the character and work ethic needed to grind a game out, even when things don’t go their way.

The big story of the F3 Derby though was the Mariner’s travelling crowd, and aside from the fans, the credit must go to the two clubs, whose decision to setup reciprocal entry for members of both certainly increased the away attendance at this match. On top of the free entry, the Mariners organised bus transport, food, beverages and a party atmosphere, which meant it was just so easy and cheap to be a part of. The hope of the management of both the clubs is that if F3 Derby crowds can be rebuilt sufficiently, it might help convince the FFA and FOX that this fixture deserves a Saturday night timeslot to properly showcase our rivalry and region.

Some fans have questioned how the away support could be so good in Newcastle while numbers in Bay 16 at Central Coast Stadium have appeared lower in recent times. Well what made the numbers in Newcastle even better was that (more than usual) yellow fans sat together in the away bay area instead of dispersed around the stadium. That of course led to many getting involved in the chanting and singing who would, in Gosford, be sitting in bays well away from the Yellow Army. People like me. And they will do just that tomorrow night leaving numbers in bay 16 apparently lower than wanted. What it means is those people need to take their experience from the weekend back to their respective bays and make the atmosphere there better. Be louder. Join in with the chant of the Yellow Army even if you’re the only one in your bay doing it. Be responsible for your part in making the atmosphere at Central Coast Stadium better for the players, for each other and for those who are coming to try our product for the first time. Collectively we know we can generate a great atmosphere at home.

Tomorrow night we take on Perth Glory in just our second fixture at Central Coast Stadium this season. It’s been a long wait so hopefully there are plenty of locals licking their lips at the chance to get out and see the team in action once again. Attendance and atmosphere won’t be helped by the Thursday night scheduling – it could hardly be a worse timeslot for people in our market. Additionally the Mariners have a distinct disadvantage with just 4 days turnaround after playing Sunday, while Glory, who played Friday night, had a full week. Never the less, there is a sense of optimism around the team, the club and the fans, especially around the efforts of Coach Paul Okon, whose growing reputation is encouraging. Okon will have one or two selection decisions to consider in the wake of the derby. With Liam Rose automatically suspended and uncertainty over injuries to Jacques Faty and Jacob Poscoliero, the central defense will be a particular concern. In positive news Harry Ascroft returning from injury in the derby may provide some relief.

The Glory were luckier than the 3-1 score suggested last start when visitors Adelaide imploded on the back of a questionable goal awarded against them. In my opinion Perth still have plenty to prove about their consistency and their ability to travel well. They were well out of their depth in their last away start against Sydney FC and didn’t do enough against Adelaide to convince me of their credentials. Never the less, with incredibly dangerous individuals such as Andy Keogh and Diego Castro in their side, there will always be a threat.

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