Western United suffered a disappointing loss to the Central Coast Mariners on Sunday night, going down 3-2 in Gosford.
The Green and Black got off to the perfect start, opening the scoring after just four minutes.
Alessandro Diamanti played in a delightful cross from a free-kick, before Tomi Uskok’s header bounced off the post and into the back of the net.
The Mariners found an equaliser a little over 10 minutes later through Matt Simon.
United failed to clear their lines following a Mariners corner, allowing Simon to score from close-range.
Minutes before the break, United found themselves back in front as Besart Berisha scored his first goal of the season.
Tomoki Imai played in a cross to Berisha, who cleverly turned his opponent before his powerful strike rattled the net.
😍 @BesartBerisha7 scores his first of the season! #CCMvWUN #RiseUp #WUFC
📹 @FOXFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/dzxGOWsFVn
— Western United FC (@wufcofficial) February 7, 2021
United couldn’t find the same creativity in the second half as the in-form Mariners side began to click into gear.
It was again from a corner where the Mariners found good fortune.
A drifting ball to the back post was met by Alou Kuol whose header sailed into the far corner.
Kuol had his second just minutes later to remarkably put the Mariners ahead for the first time on the night.
Daniel Bouman played an inch-perfect cross to Kuol who headed home for his brace.
The home side finished strong to win their fifth match of the season and go top of the A-League table.
United meanwhile experienced defeat for the second time this campaign and sit in 10th position.
Next up for the Green and Black is a clash with reigning champions Sydney FC on Saturday, 13 February at AAMI Park.
FULL-TIME
Central Coast Mariners 3 (Simon 17’, Kuol 77’, 81’)
Western United 2 (Uskok 4’, Berisha 42’)
Central Coast Mariners: Mark Birighitti, Stefan Nigro (Lewis Miller 95’), Jack Clisby, Ruon Tongyik, Kye Rowles, Gianni Stensness, Michal Janota (Jaden Cassella 45’), Oliver Bozanic (Joshua Nisbet 75’), Daniel De Silva, Matt Simon (Alou Kuol 61’), Marco Ureña (Daniel Bouman 60’)
Yellow cards: Ruon Tongyik 45’, Mark Birighitti 90’
Red cards: Nil
Western United FC: Filip Kurto, Ivan Vujica, Tomislav Uskok, Aaron Calver, Tomoki Imai, Connor Pain (Nicolas Milanovic 87’), Alessandro Diamanti, Víctor Sánchez, Steven Lustica (Lachie Wales 84’), Iker Guarrotxena (Max Burgess 63’), Besart Berisha (Dylan Pierias 63’)
Yellow cards: Steven Lustica 26’, Víctor Sánchez 53’, Max Burgess 67’
Red cards: Nil
