Player Ratings as Mariners edge closer to finals football with pulsating win over Macarthur

The Central Coast Mariners have all but secured finals football for the first time in seven years after an entertaining comeback win over Macarthur at Campbelltown Stadium.

Below are our player ratings for both teams from the 2-1 result.

Macarthur FC

Adam Federici - 8

Had no chance to save Clisby's cleanly hit equaliser but made an unreal save to stop Simon one-on-one right before halftime. Made a couple of pivotal saves to deny both Ureña and Bozanic to keep the Bulls in the game throughout the second half.

Jake McGing - 5

The right-back didn't really try and take on Clisby and get a cross in throughout, even though he had opportunities to do so, instead preferring to look for a midfielder inside.

Mark Milligan - 5

Struggled to deal with Simon's physicality throughout, as seen with the Clisby's equaliser.

Aleksandar Šušnjar - 5

Didn't allow Ureña to turn on the ball - even though the Costa Rican was still influential - and was brave enough to step out of the back four with aggression all the time. Maybe took it too far though with a clumsy yellow for a mistimed challenge on Nigro.

James Meredith - 5

Played very aggressively and touch-tight on Nisbet at all times, setting the tone for the rest of the team in Macarthur's best period at the start of the game. Didn't get forward as much as his counterpart Clisby on the other side though and struggled to deal with Nisbet's pace.

Liam Rose - 4

Failed to have any sort of impact on the game and was rightfully hooked at the break.

Denis Genreau - 6

Played as the deep-lying number six, filling the void vacated by Beñat, and it was form this position where he picked out a superbly weighted ball over the top for Susaeta to open the scoring.

Michael Ruhs - 4

Was lucky that Clisby missed a one-on-one after his air swing allowed him to go through on goal, and didn't really make any attacking contributions of note.

Markel Susaeta - 5

Scored a brilliantly lofted finish over Birighitti to open the scoring, but that was really his only contribution of note as space was hard to come by against a congested Mariners midfield.

Moudi Najjar - 5

The City loanee should have punished the Mariners after Derbyshire robbed Tongyik and set him up one-on-one with Birighitti, but he hesitated and his strike was deflected wide. He tucked inside as an inside forward to great effect, confusing Nigro with his movement in the first half. His influence waned though after halftime and as a result he didn't see out the ninety.

Matt Derbyshire - 5

The Bulls' top scorer showcased excellent work off the ball to constantly press Rowles and Tongyik in the first half, but unfortunately didn't get a reward for his efforts. Showed good poacher's instinct to improvise with a well-directed header from a second half corner but Birighitti was equal to it. A yellow for dissent near the end highlighted his frustration, due to a lack of service throughout the evening.

Substitutes:

Antonis Martis - 5

Made much more of an impact than his predecessor Rose by being positive on the ball and driving forward. Milicic probably would've wanted him to receive the ball in more advanced areas though, and he was lucky to escape a yellow for a very late challenge on Nisbet when the Mariners broke forward.

Lachlan Rose - 6

The winger put in a perfect back post cross for Najjar to tap in, but the latter was too slow to get there. Showed good intent off the bench to try and turn the Mariners defenders the other way as they were well on top throughout the second half, and did get through in 1v1 scenarios with some good skill down the right.

Antony Golec - 4

Golec was brought on to restrict Nisbet's movement from causing problems but he didn't really do that, and I can't recall a time he pushed forward either.

Tommy Oar - 4

Could have got himself in the box for a couple of inviting back post crosses from the right hand side.

Central Coast Mariners

Mark Birighitti - 6

Was caught in two minds with the first goal, making it easier for Susaeta to make the decision to chip him. Got a strong right hand in the way to stop a Derbyshire header in the second half.

Stefan Nigro - 5

Final ball was not good enough in the first half, but he did take up good positions and find time and space throughout.

Ruon Tongyik - 6

The new Socceroo was lucky to not be punished after being caught on the ball by Derbyshire early on, but after that early mistake he played safely in possession and showed excellent composure.

Kye Rowles - 7

The ex-Roar defender was crucial in keeping Derbyshire quiet throughout, and his composure highlights how much he has really come into his own this season. Has great speed that enables him to cover Clisby if he is caught out, which he showcased many times tonight too.

Jack Clisby - 7

It was quite the night for the left-back, who netted the equaliser with a superb strike with his laces to cut the ball across Federici. Just moments later he should have scored a second after Ureña slipped him into an identical situation to the first goal. Incredibly, he could have even had a first-half hat-trick when he again found space in the pocket down the left, and scored, but Ureña was offside in the build up.

Joshua Nisbet - 7

Was under a lot of pressure every time he received the ball, but he adapted well by moving it on with one or two touches maximum. As always, he was full of energy and constantly made runs beyond the front two, causing chaos for the Macarthur defence.

Oliver Bozanic - 7

Was very progressive with his passing, always looking forward and especially to find Simon or Ureña as early as possible. Forced Federici into a superb reflex save that could have put the Mariners 3-1 up.

Gianni Stensness - 6

As per usual, the Kiwi was right in the thick of the midfield battle, putting in crunching tackles. Showed the other side to his game though with a perfectly weighted ball over the top that was pivotal in the build up to the Mariners second.

Daniel De Silva - 7

Found greater joy when he brought the ball inside to either get a shot off or combine with Simon or Ureña. His fantastic placed finish just outside the area into the top right corner won it for the Mariners.

Matt Simon - 6

Trademark link up play as he came short for the ball and then recognised the open space for Clisby to smash in the equaliser.

Marco Ureña - 9

The Costa Rican was the main focal point in attack in the early stages, particularly coming short to the ball to combine. His work in tight spaces - even with a defender touch-tight to him - was superb and Macarthur struggled to deal with his quality. Got the assist for the second goal after showing superb composure to wait for De Silva and lay the ball off to him to find the top right corner. By far the best player on the pitch tonight.

Substitutes:

Alou Kuol - N/A

Came on too late for a rating.

Daniel Bouman - N/A

Came on too late for a rating.

Jordan Smylie - N/A

Came on too late for a rating.