It was a big weekend of Central Coast Mariners academy action, with our junior boys kicking off their season against Sydney Olympic.
The NPL Men’s sides facing off against Sutherland Sharks FC at Pluim Park, looking for two positive results.
Junior Boys vs Sydney Olympic
The under 18’s boys lost 2-0 to Sydney Olympic, while the under 16’s saw their game abandoned. This game will be replayed shortly, with the match postponed due to an injury to an Olympic player.
The under 15 Mariners Boys finished their game as victors, winning 5-1 with hopes high for the rest of the season.
It was a close game for the under 14 Boys, losing 4-3 in a tight contest, while the under 13’s fell 6-1.
U20’s 3-2 win over Sutherland Sharks
The under 20’s men’s side came away with a 3-2 victory, courtesy of an 84th minute winner from Miguel Di Pizio.
The Mariners started the stronger of the two sides, with Jakov Malbasa firing us into the lead in the 8th minute.
Despite having chances to extend our lead before the break it was Sutherland who evened the ledger in the 44th minute.
Levi Sciuriaga hitting on the counterattack, leaving the scores level at the end of the half.
The Mariners got off to the perfect start to begin the second 45 minutes, with Mataj Busek scoring 20 seconds in. His goal giving the Central Coast a deserved lead, before Matthew Jackson again levelled the scores in the 63rd minute.
Miguel Di Pizio stepping up to score the winner, lifting the side up to eighth in the competition.
First Grade 2-2 with Sutherland Sharks
Our first-grade side were mere minutes away from recording our first victory of the season last weekend, with a stoppage time goal denying us the three points.
Zac Zoricich gave the Mariners the lead in the 15th minute, a perfectly weighted cross from Sasha Kuzevski finding the youngster off a corner.
He made no mistakes, knocking it past the Sutherland goalkeeper to hand us the lead.
Lachlan Bayliss doubling our advantage just after the break, converting from the penalty spot in the 50thminute.
Alexander Brown pulled one back for the visitors in the 82nd minute, as Sutherland began to push their full side goalward in pursuit of a late comeback.
Brodie Clarkson breaking our home fans’ hearts in the 93rd minute, with the point leaving us in 13th place.
