After a heart breaking 3-2 loss on Thursday afternoon to the Western Sydney Wanderers Academy, the Central Coast Mariners Academy will look to bounce back in the PS4 NPL 2 against Bankstown City FC.
The Yellow & Navy looked to be on fire in Western Sydney during the re-scheduled fixture at Valentine Sports Park where Peter Kekeris & Brenton Fox featured on the scoresheet.
The Mariners took the perfect start when the young and crafty Kekeris was on hand to fire home a parried shot from Duncan Stewart.
It didn’t take long for the away side to double their lead when Fox sprung into action to head home in the 22nd minute of play and give his side a two-goal-advantage which they maintained at the break.
As the score line suggested Ben Cahn’s side were in the driver’s seat but the red and black of Western Sydney chipped their way back into the game in the 67th minute with their opening goal via Kyle Cimenti. Two minutes later it was quickly on even terms when a long-range strike from Kosta Grozos flew into the top corner to lock the scores at 2-2.
The two teams continued to go toe-to-toe for the final twenty minutes of play in an almighty battle but it was the home side who recorded the winner when Grozos doubled his tally for the afternoon, converting a precision through ball from Emmanuel Gonzalez
After a tough to taste 3-2 loss in the tightly contested PS4 NPL competition, a win this weekend against Bankstown City FC could see the Mariners Academy bounce back in style and climb the ladder to a position as high as third.
This Sunday the Mariners travel to City’s home of Jensen Park. First grade kick-off is 3pm.
