WESTERN NSW Mariners FC weren’t short of chances to break clear of Balmain Tigers FC on Saturday at Glen Willow Stadium but in the end to sides had to settle for a draw.
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There were warning signs for Western early on in the piece when Balmain’s Rosario Occhipinti was on the scene to make the most of a Mariners defensive error.
Mariners hit back from the spot kick in their Football NSW Premier Leagues 3 clash at Mudgee – through John Henry – but the hosts couldn’t get the valuable second goal.
The match at least went some way towards dulling the pain from the Mariners’ 4-1 loss to the Tigers earlier this season.
Scimone said he was just happy that has side could take something away from the match.
“Obviously we needed to get something out of the game because they’re below us on the table and the club championships,” he said.
“Our under 18s drew and our 20s lost so we wanted to get something. Once we equalised we got on top of them but we couldn’t capitalise on our chances.
“We’re still happy to come away with the draw because they’ve been one of our bogey sides in the past.
“They were similar to last time we played them. It was a bit of a tug-o-war at the start. Our build up play was really good but the passing from the midfield to our strikers was really poor.
“We thought if we got the equaliser we could then get on top of them but they’re a team who know how to grind out draws.”
The draw has importantly given the Mariners a 26-point buffer over last placed Granville Rage in the club championship relegation battle, with two matches remaining.
Scimone hopes his team can build upon their performance against the Tigers as the season wraps up.
“We really needed that point going into these next two games,” he said.
“Our under 18s and 20s are searching for the points as well, and we need to back them up.”
St George FC and Sydney University FC are the remaining matches for the Mariners this year.
