Match preview: Central Coast Mariners v Western Sydney Wanderers Gosford has proved to be a home-away-from-home for the Western Sydney Wanderers whenever they have travelled to take on Central Coast Mariners in the Hyundai A-League. Saturday night’s clash between the two clubs presents the Wanderers with the chance to notch a sixth-straight win at Central Coast Stadium. And on current form, you would think that looks likely. Markus Babbel looks to finally be getting the balance right with his side, who have recorded some impressive results in the latter part of the campaign. Their spirited display to fight back and claim a 1-1 draw with Sydney FC in Saturday night’s Derby is a case in point. Alexander Baumjohann on the ball during last weekend's Sydney Derby In contrast, the Mariners officially collected a third wooden spoon in four seasons after succumbing to Melbourne Victory 2-1 on Sunday. While it has been another season of woe in Gosford, the signs are certainly much brighter since interim boss Alen Stajcic arrived at the club in March. WATCH FOR FREE: How to watch the Hyundai A-League LIVE and FREE READ MORE: Why Melling wants role in Mariners rebuild And they should provide a stern test of the Wanderers’ recent resurgence, despite losing both previous matches between the clubs this season (both 2-0). If the stats are anything to go by, expect plenty of action after the break in this one. The Mariners have conceded the most second-half goals (38) of any team in 2018/19, while the Wanderers have conceded the third-most (25). Key Opta stats Western Sydney Wanderers currently enjoy a four-game winning streak against Central Coast Mariners in the Hyundai A-League, with three of those four triumphs coming by a score of 2-0. The Mariners have conceded 20 goals across their last five Hyundai A-League games on home turf, finishing with a loss in each of those fixtures. Mariners skipper Matt Simon has conceded a joint competition-high 51 fouls in the Hyundai A-League in 2018/19. Ins and outs Both squads will be announced on Thursday. Mariners' Matt Simon: always in the thick of the action How to watch You can catch every minute LIVE and FREE on 10 Bold or tenplay, or tune in to FOX SPORTS 505, with kick-off at 7.50pm (AEST). You can also stream it live on the MyFootball Live App, or subscribe to Kayo Sports. Tickets CLICK HERE to get your spot inside Central Coast Stadium in what should be an entertaining clash. Tipping<doc-sep>Markus Babbel’s post-match comments summed it up fairly succinctly after his listless Wanderers side went down 3-1 at Central Coast Stadium in the penultimate game of a nightmare season for both sides. Matt Simon was the hero for the Mariners, scoring two of their three goals – all of which came from set pieces. There was time for a Mark Bridge consolation strike up the other end, as the retiring veteran struck his 63rd goal in 250 A-League games from the penalty spot. A red card for an ugly Kye Rowles challenge was the only other blot on an otherwise joyous night for the home fans in Gosford, who celebrated just their third win of the campaign. BEST Matt Simon Yes, he’s a human battering ram with the first touch of a forklift. Yes, he has razor sharp elbows and is not afraid to deploy them. And yes, he may not appeal to your latte-sipping, ivory-tower, Cruyffian sensibilities, but for better or worse the man is the heart and soul of Central Coast, and he stood up and took this game by the scruff. Defending from the front with dogged determination, Simon launched himself in the direction of every loose ball, and made a nuisance of himself to win the free kick from which the Mariners opened the scoring. Pulling rank over Andrew Hoole and Jack Clisby on the dead ball, the “Wizard of Woy Woy” came off a ludicrously long run-up and leathered it in trademark fashion, through an anaemic Wanderers wall and past Jack Greenwood with the aid of a deflection. Of course, he was also on hand to bury a penalty in much the same fashion. It’s Matty Simon’s world, and we’re all just living in it.<doc-sep>Back-to-back wooden spooners Central Coast gave their fans something to cheer about with a 3-1 win over Western Sydney in their final home game of the season on Saturday night. MATCH CENTRE: CCM v WSW A dead-ball double to skipper Matt Simon and header from defender Kye Rowles gave the Mariners a 3-0 lead after 56 minutes in round 26 at Central Coast Stadium, Gosford. Stream over 50 sports live & anytime on your TV or favourite device with KAYO SPORTS. The biggest Aussie sports and the best from overseas. Just $25/month. No lock-in contract. Get your 14 day free trial > The eighth-placed Wanderers were back in the contest when Mark Bridge, in his 250th A-League game, scored from the penalty spot in the 67th minute and Rowles was shown a straight red card four minutes later for a dangerous, lunging challenge on Alexander Baumjohann. Mariners keeper Adam Pearce made a diving save to deny Bruce Kamau in the 88th minute and Abraham Majok blasted a great chance for Wanderers over the crossbar in the 95th as the home side held on for their third win of the season. Neither side could change their position on the ladder with two rounds remaining but Wanderers were favoured to stretch their winning streak at Gosford to six. However, it was the last-placed Mariners who took a deserved 1-0 half-time lead. Western Sydney, coming off a 1-1 draw with Sydney, offered little in attack and eventually paid the price for a spate of rash challenges when Simon smashed his free kick through the wall from the top of the box in the 34th minute. The win brings the Mariners’ points total up to 13. Source: Getty Images Simon converted a penalty in the 52nd minute after teenage keeper Jack Greenwood struck Jordan Murray in the face when trying to punch clear a high ball. Greenwood was full stretch to deny Aiden O’Neill in the 56th minute but Rowles scored his first A-League goal with a header off the ensuing corner kick from Jack Clisby. Bridge came off the bench to smash home his penalty after Adam Melling pushed Rashid Mahazi over at a free kick. If you can’t see the blog, CLICK HERE.<doc-sep>The Western Sydney Wanderers attacker is ready to return to where his career began on Saturday against Central Coast Mariners. Duke joined the Mariners in 2011 and spent four seasons with the club before sealing a move to Japan. Now back in the A-League with the Wanderers, Duke admits returning to Gosford will be a weird feeling. "It's going to be a bit surreal I think, playing at the stadium on the opposite side," Duke said on Thursday. "I started my career there professionally in the A-League so I'm excited to get there and play. "I won the league and championship while I was there so I had great success, amazing memories and something that will last forever."<doc-sep>
Simon brace leads 10-man Mariners past Wanderers Matt Simon scored twice to lead Central Coast Mariners to a rare 3-1 win over Western Sydney Wanderers in Gosford on Saturday night. The Mariners skipper netted from a free-kick and a set-piece either side of half-time before Kyle Rowles headed in his first Hyundai A-League goal, only to be sent off for a poor tackle in the 71st minute. Mark Bridge also converted a spot-kick in his 250th appearance in the competition but Markus Babbel's men were unable to deny Alen Stajcic's side their third victory of the season. BLOG: Recap all the action as it unfolded! WATCH FOR FREE: How to watch the Hyundai A-League LIVE and FREE Adam Pearce replaced Ben Kennedy between the posts for the Mariners and started well, saving at Mitch Duke's feet in the 22nd minute. Western Sydney brought in a rookie goalkeeper of their own, debutant Jack Greenwood, and the teenager could do little to stop Central Coast's opener. Simon won a free-kick on the edge of the area, approached it with intent and blasted the ball straight through a disorganised wall. Jordan Murray glanced a header narrowly wide of the target just prior to half-time, before going agonisingly close to meeting Jack Clisby's left-sided delivery moments after the restart. Greenwood, attempting to claim a cross, then wiped out the striker and Simon rifled in the resultant spot-kick to double his side's lead in the 52nd minute. A third quickly followed, defender Rowles pulling away from Tarek Elrich and nodding in Clisby's corner. Pearce's handling error and Jacob Melling's subsequent panicked challenge Rashid Mahazi gifted substitute Bridge a goal from the spot and the Wanderers a way back in the 67th minute. The sense of an impending comeback grew when, 19 minutes from time, Rowles undid his earlier good work by leaving a foot in on Alexander Baumjohann and earning himself a straight red card. But the Mariners defended stoutly for the remainder of the match as they snapped a four-game losing streak against Western Sydney and signed off from Central Coast Stadium on a triumphant note. Their final match of the season is away to Melbourne City on Friday, while Wanderers host Melbourne Victory the following day.