Zoran Juraj SABLJAK
Sydney United 58 endured a frustrating 3-0 defeat at home to Central Coast Mariners on Sunday afternoon, as Bailey Brandtman’s clinical brace propelled the visitors to their first victory of the National Premier League Men’s NSW season.
The hosts started brightly at Sydney United Sports Centre, dictating the early tempo and displaying flashes of attacking intent. However, their promising start was undone in the 17th minute when defensive frailties allowed Arthur De Lima to deliver a cross that Brandtman nodded home unchallenged. United 58 responded with determination and came close to equalising through Tariq Maia, whose powerful header from Mason Wells’ precise cross rattled the left post in the 26th minute, leaving the home fans on the edge of their seats. Matthew Hatch’s lively run down the left flank in the 33rd minute epitomised United’s attacking ambition, culminating in Alessandro Lacalandra’s dangerous delivery across the face of goal, which required last-ditch defending from the Mariners.
Just before halftime, a costly error from captain Adrian Vlastelica proved decisive. His misplaced pass in his own penalty area was intercepted by the alert Brandtman, who coolly chipped goalkeeper Josip Orlovic to extend the visitors’ lead against the run of play. After the break, United 58 continued to carve out opportunities, with Wells testing Mariners goalkeeper Adam Pavlesic with a fierce long-range strike in the 56th minute. Orlovic kept his side’s slim hopes alive with a superb save in the 74th minute, denying Muginga Mpota in a one-on-one situation as the hosts committed numbers forward in search of a breakthrough. Hatch remained a persistent threat down the left, teeing up Leroy Jennings for a late chance, but Pavlesic’s instinctive save with his feet ensured the visitors maintained their clean sheet.
Despite United 58’s relentless efforts, De Lima delivered the final blow in stoppage time, finishing off a swift counter-attack to seal a 3-0 victory and compound the home side’s frustrations in the fifth round of the competition.