IT wasn’t pretty and it wasn’t convincing but Western NSW Mariners FC found a way to win their FFA Cup round three clash with Lindfield FC 3-1 in extra time.
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Mariners were already a goal behind before also going a man down with just 20 minutes remaining in the match at Bathurst’s Police Paddock on Tuesday night.
When Matt Corben punished a goalkeeping error from Lindfield and levelled the scores in the 78th minute it gave the hosts a shot at keeping their cup hopes alive.
Mariners’ Kenny McCall stepped up during extra time, scoring from the penalty spot and from outside the Lindfield box to emerge victorious.
Lindfield went into the half-time break up 1-0 and Western coach Andrew Fearnley was proud of the way his side fought back.
“They were setting up a deep block and trying to catch us on the counter, and for them it essentially worked because they had two chances – one off the post and one that went in,” he said.
“We weren’t as smart as we should have been on the ball during the first half. It was windy and we were trying to play things in the air so at half-time we talked about playing shorter and supporting the ball player.
“The red card certainly hurt but the boys showed a lot of character in that situation. Considering that situation it feels very good to come away with the win.”
Mariners dominated possession in the opening stages and made several dangerous moves down both wings but reaped no rewards.
A scrappy piece of play in front of the Lindfield goal saw the ball wind up a Matt Hobby’s feet but his strike from the top of the box sailed just left of the mark.
In the 40th minute Lindfield almost went ahead against the run of play when they stole the ball at the Mariners defensive line, but the post intervened.
They only had to wait three more minutes to make the breakthrough.
A strong piece of team play through the middle of the park was finished off by Marcus Swfit to give the visitors a shock lead at the break.
Mariners had come close to levelling the game on several occasions before their task became much harder in the 70th minute.
A sliding Jaiden Culbert tackle caught a Lindfield opponent dangerously and there was not a word of protest from the Mariners man when he shown the red card.
Mariners continued to enjoy more time on the ball and soon found a response.
A cross from the right wing landed awkwardly in front of the Lindfield goalkeeper and when he couldn’t reel the ball in Corben found the back of the net.
In the opening half of extra time McCall scored his penalty, which came courtesy of a Western player being dragged down off the ball, and the Mariners had the lead for the first time.
Lindfield found the back of the net in the following half of play but to the dismay of the players the goal was ruled offside.
McCall then extended the lead with five minutes to go thanks to a superb effort from outside the box.
