Football
AAP 6y

Andrew Hoole delighted with Central Coast's surprise win over Sydney

Blasting Daryl Braithwaite's "The Horses" in the sheds is an Australian sporting tradition usually reserved for grand final celebrations.

Not a team's first win of the home-and-away season in round six.

But the Central Coast Mariners are making no apologies for soaking up their A-League breakthrough against Sydney FC last week, and are confident it's just a hint of what's to come this season.

The Mariners beat the defending champions 2-0 on Friday night -- ending their own winless start to the new campaign and snapping an 18-match unbeaten run for the Sky Blues.

Post-match vision of coach Paul Okon dancing and singing along to Braithwaite's iconic 1980s hit might have looked a little over the top, but winger Andrew Hoole said it proved just what it meant to the club.

"Good scenes after the game, it shows what sort of family the Mariners is here," Hoole said on Monday.

"Beating the champions 2-0 at home is a great result.

"Not many people have beaten them. It's really important for the team and for the club.

"[We had an] up and down first five matches, we showed some promise, but it all came together against Sydney.

"I'm sure from now on and for the rest of the season, we can kick on."

Hoole scored the opener in the 19th minute, tucking away an inch-perfect Asdrubal cross to inflict an early blow on Sydney.

It was his first goal of the game and first for Central Coast since transferring from Newcastle at the end of last season.

But he admitted it wouldn't mean much unless the Mariners can follow it up, starting on Thursday night at home against an undermanned and under-performing Adelaide United.

"The question is now can we back it up? I think we definitely can," Hoole said.

"I've got full confidence in the team, everyone's sticking together nicely and Adelaide are coming off three losses.

"They're going to be due for a win for sure and definitely hungry for three points, but we're fully confident and we'll be going into the game with the same focus."

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