Central Coast have wrapped up second spot and an A-League Men semi-final with an emphatic 4-1 win over Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium.
The Mariners leapfrogged the Reds with Friday night’s victory, condemning United to third.
The visitors looked the most likely from the outset, pressing high at every opportunity, rarely allowing the home side any time in possession.
And on 23 minutes they were rewarded, breaking the deadlock with a lightening transition from a Reds corner.
Jason Cummings received possession from Sam Silvera on the right flank and squared a long range pass across the pitch to Marco Tulio, who took the ball in his stride and chipped the onrushing Joe Gauci.
Cummings had two chances in quick succession which were both saved by Gauci before Central Coast added a second in the 41st.
Beni NKololo was played through by Storm Roux from the right wing and took a touch before superbly lashing his left-footed strike into the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the area.
In pouring rain, the Mariners survived an early second-half storm from the Reds which included a goal ruled out for offside by a matter of centimetres.
On 57 minutes the visitors added a third when Tulio grabbed his second with a stunning strike from the top of the box.
Silvera expertly held up play before teeing up his teammate, who picked out the top corner with a delightful curling effort.
Substitute Harrison Steele capped the win with a fourth in the 86th after fellow substitute Moresche danced through the Reds defence and supplied a cut back which Steele rifled into the net with the aid of a deflection.
United grabbed a consolation goal on the stroke of fulltime, Ryan Kitto lashing home from close range after the Mariners failed to clear a free kick.
Source: AAP
