Absence of atmosphere overshadows City’s classy win

Individual conversations were audible for all to hear at Central Coast Stadium as a crowd of just 4,514 saw the Central Coast Mariners punished 5-1 by a classy Melbourne City side.

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The lack of atmosphere caused by fan boycotts provided a painful addition to a poor Central Coast performance that allowed City to secure a resounding win and fourth place - with the hosts languishing in eight on just five points.

Had Roy O’Donovan taken one of two great chances in the opening 25 minutes it could have been a different story.

Seconds after his second miss, Harry Novillo showed him how it’s done by putting City 1-0 up.

A horrendous back-pass on the half way line from Jacob Poscoliero was picked up by Bruno Fornaroli on the half-way line. The Uruguayan quickly created a two-v-one situation and was able to slide in Novillo who finished coolly past the on-rushing Paul Izzo.

Tony Walmsley’s half-time team talk was made all the more difficult as Fornaroli and Erik Paartalu combined beautifully to make it 2-0 just moments before the break.

While the first-half saw chances for both sides, the second-half resembled a training session as Melbourne City continually found space to expose a passive Mariners.

Novillo grabbed his second, and his fourth goal in three games, with a powerful low-drive to the bottom corner.

It was then 4-0 when Aaron Mooy – who had earlier lacked influence as he was man-marked by Harry Ascroft – slid a pass across to Stefan Mauk who hammered home from the edge of the area.

The loudest roar of the night came when Mitch Austin smashed a late penalty into the corner to reduce the deficit to three.

But sloppy defending allowed Mooy to restore the four-goal advantage, as he made the most of quick free-kick before hammering a shot into the roof of the net.