Bruno Fornaroli fires Melbourne City past Central Coast Mariners

Bruno Fornaroli scored twice as Melbourne City claimed their first victory of the A-League season by beating Central Coast Mariners 3-1 in Victoria.

Under pressure to find form after collecting one point from their opening two games, Melbourne clinched the win with a second-half brace from Fornaroli as Central Coast lost for the second time this season.

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Melbourne were ahead in just the 11th minute when Patrick Kisnorbo punished poor marking in the box with a powerful headed finish from Aaron Mooy's inviting cross.

Hopes of a comfortable game for the hosts were dashed just two minutes later when Nicholas Fitzgerald produced a stunning effort from the edge of the box to equalise for Central Coast.

Despite the response from the visitors, it was Melbourne who looked the more threatening of the sides throughout the first half as debutant Stefan Zinni clipped the post and crossbar with fine efforts.

The pressure continued after the break and Melbourne were ahead before the hour mark when David Williams beat a challenge to pull a cross back to Fornaroli, who kept his composure to put the home side back in front.

Corey Gameiro should have put the game beyond doubt after coming off the bench, but he could only send a header crashing against the crossbar from just a few yards out.

However, the points would be clinched by the impressive Fornaroli, who turned his marker to earn space before unleashing a low strike to leave Paul Izzo helpless once again.