Central Coast Lightning made the most of their luck at Popondetta Park on Sunday, when most of the 50/50 decisions appeared to go their way at a ground that was deemed to be a home fixture following many days of consistent heavy rain that had closed Pluim Park.

Following a 2-1 win in the “away” fixture earlier in the season, they increased their winning margin by one goal and took a six point lead over Mt. Druitt in the relegation battle.

The game was played in inconsistent rain periods and Lightning had the first chance of the match when Scott McGinley crossed into the Ranger’s penalty area only to see Matt Mitchell shoot high over the bar.

Rangers were next to attack when Michael Noro made a dangerous run down the left hand flank only to see his cross go past the open goal. Eddie Georges than did a similar run down the opposite side of the defence only to see Shannon Hankin hit his cross way of target

Rangers persisted in attacking and won a corner on the left hand side. The ball found Shannon Hankin who had plenty of time to fire his shot past Josh Barrett to give the rangers the lead.

Six minutes later Ranger’s delight turned to sorrow when a shot from midfield hit the crossbar and Matt Mitchell atoned for his earlier miss by heading the rebound past a startled Chad Taylor for the equaliser.

Rangers counter attacked and Hankin forced Barrett into a good save with a long shot but Georges, as always on the spot, hit the rebound wide.

The first controversial came when Omar Valderrema took the ball from Mitchell on just inside the penalty area, with what appeared to be a fair tackle, only to see the referee point to the penalty spot. Despite loud appeals from the Ranger’s players the decision stood and Brady Smith calmly put the ball to the right of Taylor to give Lightning the lead.

Right on halftime Rangers were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area. It was quickly taken and the ball went to Noro who put his shot wide.

Lightning open the second half with plenty of fire for ten minutes, but could not find a way past the solid ranger’s defence.

The followed two more decisions that upset the Mt. Druitt team and supporters

Alex Burrell received a yellow card for a bad tackle and then appeared to handle the ball a couple of minutes later. The referee waved play on much to the annoyance of the Ranger’s players and bench and play was stopped whilst he found it necessary to quieten the Mt Druitt substitutes.

With half an hour to play Lightning again attacked. The ball went into the Ranger’s penalty area amongst a group of players and appeared to hit a player on the arm. To everybody’s surprise the referee then showed Valderrama a red card for what he must have deemed “deliberate handball”. The Mt. Druitt player left the field in utter disbelief. Brady Smith then stepped up to score with his second penalty kick of the match to give Lightning a 3-1 lead.

The controversy wasn’t over yet however but this time it did not affect the Rangers!

Central Coast tried to make a substitution. Up stepped Nathan Byrn, wearing a number 10 shirt. The team sheet said he was number 9, but Brady Smith was already wearing number 9. After much discussion and many minutes wasted, the referee refused to allow Byrn to take the field!

Rangers decided to take advantage of this sudden turn of good luck and attacked at will for the last ten minutes.

Greg Kondek had a shot well saved by Barrett when it appeared to be going into the net and Georges had an opportunity to score at the last moment of the game but his shot went far too high.

Lightning came away with an important win, and left Rangers wondering what might have been if Lady Luck had stayed at home!

Under 20: Central Coast Lightning FC 2 - Mt Druitt Town Rangers 2