Search

show me:

Mariners coach seeks no favours in ALM

3 minute read

Central Coast coach Nick Montgomery expects the Mariners to get the job done and secure their A-League Men finals berth against the Brisbane Roar on Tuesday.

NICK MONTGOMERY.
NICK MONTGOMERY. Picture: Ashley Feder/Getty Images

Central Coast coach Nick Montgomery won't rely on the results of others, challenging his players to get the job done and secure their A-League Men finals berth by beating Brisbane on Tuesday.

The Mariners travel to face the Roar at Moreton Daily Stadium knowing a win will lock up a spot in the top six.

Montgomery's team sit fifth on the ladder with two games to play on 36 points.

Newcastle's big win over Macarthur on Sunday means only eighth-placed Sydney FC (31 points, 24 games) can bump the Mariners out of the six.

Given Montgomery's team have a plus-10 goal difference to Sydney's plus-two, even a point against the second-last Roar would most likely be enough to secure finals in the Englishman's first season as an ALM coach.

"We haven't relied on anyone all season to help us out whether that's other teams, officials, that's not the way we are," Montgomery said.

"We approach every game with one thing in mind and that's to try and win the game. Nothing changes with two games to go.

"We don't expect anything different and 100 per cent we don't rely on anybody else.

"We'll make sure we focus on ourselves and try to win every game that we play."

The Mariners head to Queensland on a three-game winning run but haven't scored or won on any of their past three visits to Brisbane.

The odds of another blank appear unlikely, however, this time around with the Mariners' forward line of Brazilian Moresche and Scottish-born Socceroos hopeful Jason Cummings forging an increasingly potent partnership in recent weeks.

There's also wonderkid Garang Kuol at the disposal of Montgomery, with the 17-year-old having scored three goals in his past six appearances including the winner in a 1-0 triumph over Western United last Saturday.

"We've got good players fighting for that front four and we've got a couple of games to go, hopefully finals, and everybody's fighting for positions," Montgomery said.

"Moresche has been outstanding the last couple of weeks and him and Jason and Marco (Urena) work really well together so it's nice to see."

Brisbane, meanwhile, are aiming to end a five-game winless run as they try to end their disappointing campaign on a high in their remaining two fixtures.

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au