Glory for the Mariners as they Roar to Victory over Adelaide

We're gonna win the league and now you're gonna believe us...



Would you bet against them?

A seriously depleted Adelaide United side were pushed aside by the cute signing of John Aloisi.

The Mariners beat Adelaide 2-1 at Hindmarsh tonight. They were strong, organised and not particularly pretty to watch.

Australia's best team may have one foot in Asia but their percentage play, direct and strong running don't get me out of my big comfy seat too often.

Adelaide nearly always do. But without Nathan Burns, Ange Costanzo, Bobby Petta, Jason Spagnuola, Diego and Bruce Djite in the first eleven it was always going to be a tough ask.

Things were so bad Aurelio Vidmar gave Kristian Sarkies a start. This after telling the world how bad he was!

Did it motivate him? He played okay, but really was out thought and out played by the Mariners midfield.

If Sarkies was supposed to be the United creative force in the first half, Adelaide's lack of any meaningful attacks must be his concern.

Cassio attacked, but unfortunately from just outside his box. Andrew Clark robbed him and John Aloisi scored comfortably.

When Sasho Petrovski scored early in the second half it looked like the game was over.

But Aloisi contrived to miss chances, each one easier than the last. But he made another telling contribution to the Mariners.

He's fast becoming the best ever returning Socceroo.

And Vidmar reacted by bringing on Bruce Djite. In the last twenty minutes the quality of Adelaide's play lifted immediately. Paul Agostino beat the superb Danny Vukovic with a backward header from the penalty spot.

Game on.

Travis Dodd had two great chances to score.

Pim Verbeek would have been delighted to see Bruce Djite light up the night.

And suddenly Adelaide were in the match. Surely the Mariners couldn't let it slip.

And they held on but it was close, when in truth it could have been four or five to the Mariners before United scored.

Adelaide were poor, very poor. Maybe Sarkies should be questioning his coaches tactics. They were dire. The team produced nothing for seventy minutes and then could have snatched a draw.

The Mariners will not meet many more ordinary sides than Adelaide this season.

An easy three points, but not a true test of the Mariners quality, given the players missing for United.

But a foot closer to Asia, and a win over Sydney next week and they'll be six points clear with four to play.

Time to get the passports out for the Scottish Mariners?