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UPDATE: In a breathtaking finish, the Central Coast Mariners stunned the Newcastle Jets with a last-minute victory in the highly anticipated F3 Derby on October 28, 2023. The match, held at polytec Stadium, saw the Mariners rally from behind to secure a thrilling 3-2 win, marking a spectacular start for their new interim manager, Warren Moon.
The Jets, fresh off their Australia Cup triumph, traveled south with thousands of passionate fans, brimming with confidence. Their optimism soared early in the match when Alex Badolato fired home a powerful opener just 14 minutes into the game, sending the away supporters into raptures.
However, the Mariners refused to buckle under pressure. In a stunning two-minute span midway through the second half, Alfie McCalmont equalized from the penalty spot, and just moments later, Miguel Di Pizio capitalized on a defensive error from the Jets to flip the score to 2-1 in favor of the Mariners.
The Jets fought back, and with just 11 minutes left in regular time, substitute Lachie Rose smashed in a brilliant equalizer, seemingly sealing a draw. But the drama escalated as the match entered stoppage time, with the outcome hanging in the balance.
In a heart-stopping moment, Mariners goalkeeper Andrew Redmanye emerged as an instant hero, saving a 97th-minute penalty from Newcastle’s Eli Adams. Just 30 seconds later, in a chaotic turn of events, Nicholas Duarte scored the winning goal following a blunder by the Jets’ goalkeeper. This remarkable sequence sent Mariners fans into a frenzy as they celebrated a stunning comeback.
Barely a minute later, Duarte found the net again, marking his first A-League goal in the 98th minute, igniting wild celebrations among the home crowd and solidifying the Mariners’ dramatic victory.
Football commentator Luke Byrne described the match as “an unbelievable end to a pulsating F3 Derby,” emphasizing the significance of this win for the Mariners’ season. “This was one of the best finishes to the derby in 21 seasons,” he noted. “The win certainly signals to all in the A-League that the Mariners have something magical that no team can take for granted.”
As the Mariners bask in the glory of this thrilling victory, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how this momentum carries into their upcoming matches. The F3 Derby continues to deliver unforgettable moments that keep fans on the edge of their seats.
