Gold Coast United earn a point with draw against A- League leaders Central Coast Mariners

Bottom-placed Gold Coast United ruined
Central Coast Mariners' New Year's Eve
party on Saturday when they halted the
Mariners' six-match winning streak in front
of their biggest home crowd of the season.
The A-League's table-toppers were held to a 0-0
draw in a clash that lacked fireworks in front of a
bumper 14,838-strong crowd at Bluetongue
Stadium.
Gold Coast made a bright start with Ben Halloran
creating the game's first chance, connecting with
an Adama Traore ball for a shot just ten minutes
in.
The Mariners weren't too far behind with teen
Mustafa Amini providing a great through ball to
fellow Olyroo Bernie Ibini-Isei, whose shot forced
Gold Coast gloveman Jerrad Tyson into action.
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The shots weren't only limited to the strikers with
Mariners fullback Pedj Bojic making a run forward
for an attempt at goal twice in the opening half.
Ibini-Isei looked like putting the hosts in front just
before the break, again getting the best of the
Gold Coast defence but his shot shaved the far
post.
The Mariners came bursting out of the blocks in
the second stanza with Nigerian-born Ibini-Isei
connecting with a Michael McGlinchey cross, with
his shot stinging the palms of Tyson.
But the visitors' best chance came courtesy of
Maceo Rigters, the speedy Dutch import making a
menacing run into the box to force a save from
Mariners shotstopper Mathew Ryan.
Gold Coast had the chance to net the late winner
when James Brown had his shot saved by Ryan
in the 81st minute with Dylan McGowan following
up with a long-range effort that sailed over the
cross-bar.
Olyroo captain Oliver Bozanic could have broken
the deadlock for the Mariners with two minutes
remaining, but his strike went wide.
"You have to remember that it was first against
last today and with us away against the top team
after they had six wins," an upbeat Miron Bleiberg
said, the Gold Coast coach also noting they held
the Mariners without the likes of injured goal
keeper Glen Moss, Kristian Rees, Dylan Macallister,
and the suspended Paul Beekmans.
"The guys did an extremely good job ... and we
had a young goal keeper in goals and he didn't
have to work too hard."
Despite having his team's winning streak broken,
Mariners coach Graham Arnold was pleased with
his team's effort especially with the Gold Coast's
clear intention to form a strong defence.
"The danger was on the counter attack ... what
we were worried about was the pace of James
Brown, and Rigters on the break.
"As soon as we saw the team sheet where they
had five defenders and two defensive midfielders
we knew we were going to have to break them
down.
"But I'm very proud of the boys, 2011 has been a
fantastic year.''