Records tumble as Mariners set sail for summit

The A-League witnessed a flurry of goals across its four weekend matches with the net bulging 18 times led by the record-breaking Central Coast Mariners. Last season’s premiers jumped up to second with a remarkable 7-2 demolition of a Sydney FC side shorn of star recruit, Alessandro Del Piero, due to a hamstring complaint. The Mariners sit two points off leaders Adelaide United who won 1-0 at Brisbane Roar, with the latter having now lost consecutive home matches for the first time in several seasons. New boys Western Sydney Wanderers achieved the first home win of their short A-League life with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the league’s second youngest club, Melbourne Heart. Striker Mark Bridge created another line in the Wanderers’ history annals with the club’s first goal on home soil, having scored their maiden goal a week prior. Headline-grabber: Adelaide’s Dario Vidosic scored a stunning free-kick to see off Brisbane on home turf, yet his celebrations could not have been more restrained. The former Nuremberg attacker was, after all, not only playing against his former club, but one coached by father Rado. Big match: Central Coast Mariners fans that showed up in swelled numbers, caught up in Del Piero mania, may have been disappointed when Sydney FC’s Italian superstar failed to make the teamsheet, however that was soon to be forgotten on a landmark night for the club. Graham Arnold’s men racked up numerous records with the 7-2 win over their southern rivals, including biggest win for the club, and equal most goals in an A-League match, while Daniel McBreen finally claimed the Mariners maiden hat–trick in their seventh season. From FIFA