Central Coast Mariners took the F3 Derby 3-0 over Newcastle Jets in the rain postponed R26 game, with the win ending an incredibly frustrating five month's run; and it was only the second home win at Gosford all season. Making it even more notable was the 'rag tag and bob tail crew' that the Mariners had to do it with!

It had been an eventful week for both teams. Visitors Newcastle Jets had key players out for the derby and crucial game in their finals series hopes. Midfielder Jobe Wheelhouse, and striker Sean Rooney were ruled out due to injury, and captain Matt Thompson lasted only half a game during which he was best on field. Coach Branko Culina had also been vocal about the signing during the week by finals rivals Melbourne Victory of Mariners striker Nik Mrdja. Mrdja's move had taken Culina and Mariners fans by surprise, and meant that the Mariners had lost key players themselves, with as well as Mrdja, Dean Heffernan and Michael McGlinchey had moved overseas. Compounding this, normal F3 derby focus-man John Hutchinson was also out, and Nicky Travis injured, though defender Nigel Boogaard returned from suspension. Youth players Panni Nikas, Brady Smith and Matthew Lewis were called up.

The game started with a whirlwind by the Jets, knocking the Mariners back on their heels before they could set their new formation. There were being led by Matthew Thompson, who had two chances in the first five minutes. His best was when Labinot Haliti headed down an Ali Abbas cross to the Jets captain in front of goal but an alert Nigel Boogaard got a foot to it. The Mariners survived a dubious claim for hand-ball against Chris Doig, and after weathering the first 15 minutes, looked to have settled their nerves and perhaps shut the gate.

After that 15 minutes too the Mariners at last got near to the Jets goal in numbers, and won a series of corners. From a right-side corner kick Brad Porter lobbed it in to the goal area and Nigel Boogaard, playing before his move to Adelaide United next season, headed powerfully into the bottom corner from 15m past Ben Kennedy for his second goal of the season, both coming against his home-town club. 1-0

Moments later it appeared that Iraqi international Ali Abbas would level matters after English striker Michael Bridges sent in a neat cross from the right, which defender Shane Huke headed off the line and out into the path of Abbas. He hit a stinging first-time drive only for Mariners custodian Danny Vukovic to brilliantly parry away.

In the 28th minute Matt Thompson hit a seering shot on target, but it rebounded off the back of the head of Doig who was running back to cover. Perhaps the Bluetongue gremlin had drowned on Saturday night!?

A minute later and a good chance for the home-side to pull further in front. Kwasnik showed great strength to move up on the right side and go around Ljubo Milicevic, and then cross the ball in, but unfortunately a slight bobble at the last bounce put Brad Porter’s first time effort clear of the crossbar.

Panni Nikas (who took some time to adjust to the pace of thought and foot at first grade level, but adjust he did) had a long range speculator go well over late in the half, but the hosts took a 1-nil lead and renewed confidence into the break.

Matt Thompson went off at half-time replaced by Kaz Patafta and that was a severe blow for the Jets hopes. In the 50th minute Shane Huke, who had settled into his new role at right-back, played a lovely ball over the top for Adam Kwasnik, whose first time lob beat Kennedy, and shattered the Jets. 2-0

Porter went close again in the 57th minute, hitting the underside of the crossbar, volleying a Boogaard ball from the left, and Milicevic was able to clear off the line under pressure from Matt Simon.

Labinot Haliti picked up a second booking from referee Ben Williams as he deliberately handled, on what he thought was the blind side of Alex Wilkinson, in the 57th minute; and the visitors day got worse.

In the 72nd minute Brad Porter played the ball into the box and substitute Brady Smith turned and laid the ball across the face of goal, where it evaded Milicevic and rolled to Simon, who cleanly took the goal. 3-0

As the half continued with the Mariners resurgent, Danny Vukovic had to dive brilliantly one-handed to his left to keep Ali Abbas' shot from getting inside the post.

In the 86th minute it could have been a record derby win, alas a swivelling shot from Brady Smith off a Simon run and pass went just over the crossbar. Despite a second-yellow for Pedj Bojic the Mariners stayed steady to the end and avoided inheriting the wooden spoon from their opponents, with the Jets having a nightmare that pretty much ended their home final hopes.

For Mariners’ Football Manager Lawrie McKinna, the relief was unmistakable after a 10 week winless streak. "Over the last ten weeks it’s been hard, and in a lot of these games we feel as though we should have got a lot more out of but we never, and that’s football, so to come to the last home game and get a very convincing win over Newcastle, our local rivals, is great," said McKinna. "I’m just happy for the players, they’ve worked hard all season and we’ve copped a lot of criticism for the poor run of results, but that is probably one of the most convincing games we’ve played against our local rivals in the five years."

Andrew Clark, announced next Friday’s clash in the Kiwi capital would be his last after five seasons at his hometown club, opting to hang up the boots to concentrate on his role as the club’s strength and conditioning coach. "It’s been brilliant to be able to do that at home. I had no expectations about today but to go out and finish with a convincing win in a derby game like that is a great place to finish playing and great way to do it."

Being a derby always takes on more scrutiny by fans. For a Monday night rescheduled game after a very wet period the crowd was alright. They had their hands on the heads for the 15 minute Jet's willy-willy, but a very relieved band of yellow and navy decked faithful stayed to clap their team and the retiring Andrew Clark. In their joy as winning, and winning over the jets, they will also be pondering the rumours of Lawrie McKinna's demise as coach and the 'love/hate' possible replacement.

After the match, Newcastle coach Branko Culina was philosophical about the loss, claiming that his side’s general play perhaps deserved more but was ultimately lacking the killer touch. "It is disappointing to lose but we played some good football, particularly in the first half. That was probably the best we played over the last three weeks. They scored from a defensive error where we didn’t challenge and they got the lead," Culina admitted.

The Jets must now face at home Adelaide United, another team with nothing to lose and an ACL campaign to kick-start - Branko will be sweating on Matt Thompson returning, and will rue his move to Melbourne Heart next season. The Mariners, as Lawrie McKinna 'twittered' today, will go over 'the ditch' without Pedj Bojic and with Chris Doig and Adam Kwasnik out injured - "its a great chance for the young ones tonight (NYL postponed game at Pluim Park) to make the 1st team squad for Friday night".