Wanderers controlled proceedings but fell to a shock 2-1 loss to Central Coast in injury time.
NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers controlled proceedings but fell to a shock loss to Central Coast Mariners in a pulsating contest at Central Coast Stadium on Saturday night.
The Red and Black had more than double the Mariners chances in the first half but fell behind to a Josh Rose goal completely against the run of play before Niolai Topor-Stanley-s first goal of the season saw the teams enter the break on even terms.
The match looked destined for draw until Bernie Ibini scored the winner in the 91st minute.
Tomi Juric looked dangerous before Aaron Mooy dragged a shot wide after a good period of play fot the first real chance of the match.
Mooy was in the thick of the action all half, soon pinching the ball from an Anthony Caceres throw before seeing his rasping shot tipped onto the post by Mariners goalkeeper Liam Reddy.
With the Wanderers seemingly on the verge of scoring, Rose opened the scoring out of nowhere.
The Red and Black didn-t dwell on the goal and before long were on the board through Topor-Stanley tucking home a Juric pass from the right hand side of the penalty area following a short corner.
Mooy had one more chance before the break as Wanderers went in to the shed unfortunate not to be ahead.
The midfielder continued to toil in the second stanza and he provided substitute Brendon Santalab with a good chance in the 67th minute but the striker failed to capitalise.
With the match drawing to a close the Wanderers kept Reddy on his toes when Jerome Polenz missed to the right inside the final ten minutes.
The match then turned on its head when Ibini scored the winner in injury time.
Central Coast Mariners 2 (Rose 32, Ibini 91)
Western Sydney Wanderers 1 (Topor-Stanley 40)
Image credit: George Suresh
