3 minute read
Perth Glory's winless run has extended to six matches after they were held to a goalless draw by Central Coast Mariners at HBF Park.
Goalkeeper Mark Birighitti was the hero as Central Coast rode their luck to hold on for a 0-0 draw against Perth Glory at HBF Park on Tuesday night.
Birighitti saved a first-half penalty to deny Bruno Fornaroli, with Glory unable to find a winner despite dominating the shot count 21-6.
The result extended Glory's winless run to six matches, leaving them on the bottom of the ladder.
Central Coast stay in eighth spot and are five points adrift of the top six.
"That was probably our worst performance of the season," Mariners coach Nick Montgomery said.
"I told the boys at half-time, 'The good thing is we can't play any worse than we just played'.
"We were really leggy, very sloppy. No excuses. It was unacceptable. I'm happy to come away with a point, because so many times this year we've been the better team ... and come away with nothing."
Glory coach Richard Garcia felt his team were unlucky not to come away with the win.
"It's a positive result in the fact we didn't concede," Garcia said.
"But again, it's two points dropped really.
"That seems to be a little bit of a disappointing one, but at the same time there's a little bit of growth there and the guys are still pushing in the right direction.
"Some of the football we're playing has been very good. Now it's just about getting that win. The guys really need that first win to push on."
Perth created chances galore in an entertaining opening half that also featured some controversial moments.
Glory goalkeeper Brad Jones produced a sharp double save in the fourth minute to deny Beni Nkololo and Noah Smith, but from that point on it was all the home side.
Midfielder Giordano Colli was denied by the crossbar in the 14th minute after unleashing a curling free kick from a tight angle.
Two minutes later Glory players were left fuming when a penalty wasn't awarded for a clear handball from Jason Cummings.
But justice arrived a minute later when a penalty was awarded - coincidentally against Cummings - for clipping Jack Clisby as the Glory defender charged into the box.
Fornaroli stepped up to the plate, but Birighitti dived to his right and stuck down his right glove to keep out the low drive.
The second half was a dour affair with not many chances.
Birighitti pulled off another important save to deny a Josh Rawlins header in the 71st minute, and the Mariners were able to keep Fornaroli on a tight leash.
The Mariners were dealt a blow when German Nicolai Muller was unable to travel to Perth for the match due to not having had his COVID-19 booster shot.
