Central Coast Mariners 3-2 Western Sydney Wanderers
Updated
Central Coast Mariners won: Central Coast Mariners 3-2 Western Sydney Wanderers in the A-League (Round 18) on Sun, 22 Feb 2026 at polytec Stadium, Gosford. Central Coast Mariners goals: Ali Auglah 55', Nathanael Blair 77', James Donachie 89'. Western Sydney Wanderers goals: Angus Thurgate 8', Hiroshi Ibusuki 69'. Expected goals: 1.02-2.55. Possession: 32-68. Player of the match: James Donachie (8.4).
Match report
Central Coast Mariners beat Western Sydney Wanderers 3-2
Central Coast Mariners came from behind to beat Western Sydney Wanderers 3-2 at polytec Stadium on Sunday 22 February in the A-League.
Angus Thurgate put Western Sydney Wanderers ahead on 8' (0-1), Ali Auglah levelled for Central Coast Mariners on 55' (1-1), Hiroshi Ibusuki restored Western Sydney Wanderers' lead on 69' (1-2), Nathanael Blair levelled for Central Coast Mariners on 77' (2-2) and James Donachie restored Central Coast Mariners' lead on 89' (3-2).
James Donachie's 89' strike proved decisive.
Central Coast Mariners had 32% of the ball, shots were 8-20 (4-8 on target) and expected goals finished 1.02-2.55. Western Sydney Wanderers created the better chances but couldn't make them count.
James Donachie (Central Coast Mariners) was player of the match with an 8.4 rating.
Attendance: 4,506. Referee: Shane Skinner.
Match stats
| Central Coast Mariners | Western Sydney Wanderers | |
|---|---|---|
| Ball possession | 32 | 68 |
| Expected goals (xG) | 1.02 | 2.55 |
| Total shots | 8 | 20 |
| Shots on target | 4 | 8 |
| Touches in opposition box | 17 | 32 |
| Big chances | 3 | 5 |
| Big chances missed | 1 | 4 |
| Accurate passes | 230 (78%) | 565 (90%) |
| Yellow cards | 3 | 2 |
| Corners | 1 | 3 |
| Total shots | 8 | 20 |
| Shots off target | 2 | 7 |
| Shots on target | 4 | 8 |
| Blocked shots | 2 | 5 |
| Hit woodwork | 1 | 2 |
| Shots inside box | 5 | 12 |
Lineups
Central Coast Mariners (4-4-2): Andrew Redmayne, Storm Roux, James Donachie, Brad Tapp, Lucas Mauragis, Ali Auglah, Chris Donnell, Harrison Steele, Kaito Taniguchi, Miguel Di Pizio, Oli Lavale
Western Sydney Wanderers (4-1-4-1): Lawrence Thomas, Phillip Cancar, Anthony Pantazopoulos, Jacob Farrell, Alex Gersbach, Dylan Scicluna, Brandon Borrello, Steven Peter Ugarkovic, Angus Thurgate, Ryan Fraser, Kosta Barbarouses
Key events
- 8' · Goal · Angus Thurgate (Western Sydney Wanderers)
- 35' · Yellow card · Ali Auglah (Central Coast Mariners)
- 55' · Yellow card · James Donachie (Central Coast Mariners)
- 55' · Goal · Ali Auglah (Central Coast Mariners)
- 62' · Substitution · Nathanael Blair for Kaito Taniguchi (Central Coast Mariners)
- 62' · Substitution · Haine Eames for Harrison Steele (Central Coast Mariners)
- 65' · Substitution · Bozhidar Kraev for Brandon Borrello (Western Sydney Wanderers)
- 65' · Substitution · Hiroshi Ibusuki for Kosta Barbarouses (Western Sydney Wanderers)
- 65' · Substitution · Joshua Brillante for Phillip Cancar (Western Sydney Wanderers)
- 65' · Yellow card · Dylan Scicluna (Western Sydney Wanderers)
- 69' · Goal · Hiroshi Ibusuki (Western Sydney Wanderers)
- 73' · Substitution · Jacob Nasso for Storm Roux (Central Coast Mariners)
- 73' · Substitution · Sabit James Ngor for Ali Auglah (Central Coast Mariners)
- 77' · Goal · Nathanael Blair (Central Coast Mariners)
- 81' · Substitution · Bailey Brandtman for Miguel Di Pizio (Central Coast Mariners)
- 81' · Substitution · Ruon Tongyik for Alex Gersbach (Western Sydney Wanderers)
- 86' · Substitution · Atiya Waraga for Steven Peter Ugarkovic (Western Sydney Wanderers)
- 86' · Yellow card · Bailey Brandtman (Central Coast Mariners)
- 88' · Yellow card · Jacob Farrell (Western Sydney Wanderers)
- 89' · Goal · James Donachie (Central Coast Mariners)
All-time head-to-head
Central Coast Mariners vs Western Sydney Wanderers: full head-to-head record
Questions
Who won Central Coast Mariners vs Western Sydney Wanderers?
Central Coast Mariners won, 3-2 (A-League) on Sun, 22 Feb 2026.
When and where is Central Coast Mariners vs Western Sydney Wanderers?
Sun, 22 Feb 2026, 06:00 UTC at polytec Stadium, Gosford, A-League.