The giant-killing Central Coast Mariners coach has revealed the team used ‘dishonourable’ talk by sore loser Adelaide Reds as fuel to win the grand final
- The Mariners moved forward with their first decision in a decade
- Coach Nick Montgomery said the side could beat anyone
- The Mariners will take on Melbourne City in the grand final clash
Central Coast coach Nick Montgomery has warned naysayers to write off his side at their peril after the Mariners set up an A-League Men’s grand final clash with Melbourne City.
The Mariners advanced to their first decider in a decade with a 2-0 victory over Adelaide United in Gosford on Saturday night, winning the two-legged semi-final 4-1 and setting up a date with three two-time defending ALM premiers at Commbank Stadium on June 3.
‘In two weeks, it’s going to be a bit of a David versus Goliath battle but we’re looking forward to it,’ Montgomery told reporters.
‘We can’t wait to walk out and, whatever happens that night, we’re going to give it a good crack.
‘We know we can beat anyone, so we’ll be full of confidence and will go in and try to win the game against a very good Melbourne City team.’
The Mariners progressed to their first decider in a decade with a 2-0 victory over Adelaide United in Gosford on Saturday night
Central Coast coach Nick Montgomery (pictured) says his side used the Adelaide Reds talk as fuel to score the big upset
Saturday marked the third time in as many games that the Mariners have beaten the Reds, coming off a 2-1 win in the first leg and a 4-1 drubbing in the final week of the regular season.
And Montgomery admitted that seeing their opponents attempt to undercut that form guide provided some extra motivation for his side.
‘They have to come here and win, they are desperate,’ he said.
‘We want revenge because there’s been a lot of talk coming out of Adelaide in recent weeks.
‘There are several ways to lose. You can lose with dignity and accept that you were beaten by a better team, or you can make excuses.
‘And there have been many reasons in the last two weeks.
‘I kept quiet, we kept quiet.
‘I said to the boys, let your football do the talking.
It was the third time in as many games that the Mariners beat the Reds
The Mariners’ run to the grand final was a David and Goliath effort proving the side are light years from the outfit that collected four wooden spoons in five seasons in 2019-20
‘I don’t think anyone can think any differently than we deserved to get to the grand final.’
After finishing the regular season in second, Saturday’s progress continues a remarkable turnaround in the Mariners’ fortunes.
In 2019-20, the same season in which City began their run of four consecutive grand final appearances, the Mariners recorded their fourth wooden spoon in five seasons.
But in an unprecedented turnaround in fortunes in the three campaigns since, the Mariners have won more games than any ALM side except City and played in the finals every year.
‘Even going into tonight people are still doubting us,’ said Montgomery.
‘I find it a bit strange – but that’s football.
‘For everyone tonight, for the fans and the community, I told the boys before the game that they didn’t just strengthen a club but a community and a region.’
News/Image Sources: Daily Mail
