Blackwood stunner and historic Toure goal sees Adelaide stun Mariners
Two goals in two minutes helped Adelaide United stun a spirited Central Coast Mariners and claim a 2-0 win on Friday night.
George Blackwood breached the Mariners defence by bending in an unstoppable effort in the 83rd minute, the fourteenth goal of the striker's Hyundai A-League career, before 15-year-old Mohamed Toure became the competition's youngest ever goalscorer by burying Riley McGree's comeback seconds later.
It came after Adelaide were left frustrated by the visitors seeking to end a five-year clean sheet curse against the Reds.
The Mariners had not kept a shutout against Adelaide since April 2014's Elimination Final and had turned in a spirited display at Coopers Stadium to keep the Reds at bay, until the hosts exploded into life late on.
Adelaide were missing six first teamers - Michael Marrone, Ryan Strain, Ryan Kitto, James Troisi, Nathan Konstandopoulos and Al Hassan Toure - on the night and leapfrog Wellington Phoenix into fourth spot however, the New Zealanders are in action on Sunday against Melbourne City.
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Key moments
Harold hits the crossbar
The Mariners dominated the shot count 11-6 in the first half, and they went closest when Chris Harold stuck the crossbar in the seventh minute.
Harold, fresh from marking his Mariners debut with a stunning goal against Newcastle Jets last Sunday, so very nearly made it two goals in two games, after going two years without finding the net prior to that F3 derby consolation.
Birighitti's spectacular reflexes
Central Coast gloveman Birighitti came up with his 100th save of the season in the first half, and soon after that he came to the rescue again to keep Ben Halloran's deflected cross out.
In-form Reds winger Halloran's clipped attempt took a chunk off Mariners fullback Jack Clisby on the way through, but Birighitti was able to readjust excellently and keep the scores level.
Blackwood brings the house down
Neither side was able to get the upper hand in a second half arm-wrestle, as Jordan Elsey pulled off an incredible block to smother Ruon Tongyik's effort, while Gertjan Verbeek threw 15-year-old striker Mohamed Toure into the fray to ramp up the pressure.
The substitution did not take long to pay dividends. Toure charged through the middle of the park and combined with McGree, who teed up ex-Sydney FC youth Blackwood outside the box.
And the execution from Blackwood was utterly superb.
Toure makes Hyundai A-League history
In October, Al Hassan Toure sent Coopers Stadium into raptures by a show-stopping performance in the FFA Cup Final. Months on, his younger brother wrote his name into Hyundai A-League folklore.
Mohamed became the competition's youngest goalscorer at 15 years and 325 days by slamming home Riley McGree's cutback, sealing the three points for the hosts.
Round 20
Western Sydney Wanderers v Adelaide United
Friday, 21 February
Bankwest Stadium
Kick-off: 7.30pm AEDT
Central Coast Mariners v Sydney FC
Sunday, 23 February
Central Coast Stadium
Kick-off: 6pm AEDT
