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Adelaide United were the big movers in Matchweek 16, benefiting from Macarthur FC and Melbourne City dropping points as the Reds moved to within one point of Central Coast Mariners at the top of the table.
The Reds beat Macarthur and drew to fellow Finals Series aspirants Western Sydney Wanderers to jump into second by the end of the Matchweek.
City drew 1-1 with Sydney FC and Macarthur added to their loss to the Reds by falling to a 2-1 defeat at home to Brisbane Roar, who ended their eight-game winless run with the shock result on the road.
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Matchweek 15 wrapped up on Wednesday, April 7 after a six-day, nine-game football feast which began and concluded with Central Coast Mariners on top of the pile.
Sydney FC snuck into the top four after two Matchweek 15 wins over Melbourne Victory and Perth Glory. Melbourne City had the chance to overthrow the Mariners at the top but a 2-1 loss to Western United stopped Patrick Kisnorbo s side in their tracks. City did, however, respond well to defeat by edging Wellington Phoenix 3-2 on Monday night.
Macarthur FC dealt Perth the first of their two defeats for the Matchweek to go three games unbeaten - the Bulls now occupy third spot on the table.
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24 goals hit the back of the net across seven fixtures in Matchweek 10, as Central Coast Mariners moved four points clear at the top of the table.
Western United and Melbourne Victory contributed seven of those goals in a 4-3 affair on Saturday night, after Adelaide United beat Western Sydney Wanderers 3-2 and Perth Glory clinched a 3-1 win over Brisbane Roar on Friday night.
Macarthur FC striker Matt Derbyshire went ahead in the Golden Boot race with his seventh goal of the season in the Bulls 1-0 win over Sydney FC, but a brace to Jamie Maclaren in Melbourne City s 2-0 win over the Wanderers sent the Socceroos striker level with Derbyshire at the top of the charts.
Mark Birighitti – Central Coast Mariners
Birighitti has proved to be one of the most reliable shot-stoppers in the competition so far and the 29-year-old did not put a foot wrong while shutting out the Premiers to keep his third clean sheet in four games.
While he was only forced to make four saves – the highlight being a late block from substitute Jordi Swibel – Birighitti dominated his penalty area, fending off cross after cross and racing of his line to smother a number of through balls.
Birighitti - Mariners shot-stopper adamant on a clean sheet
Defenders
Ruon Tongyik – Central Coast Mariners