On Saturday night, the Central Coast Mariners Academy suffered a 2-0 loss against Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 entrants, Bankstown Berries in the PS4 NPL 2.
In the tightly contested competition, the Mariners Academy now sit in fifth position which is just four points behind the third placed Northern Tigers.
After an evenly placed opening 30 minutes with both teams not having many clear cut opportunities, it was Bankstown Berries who opened the scoring. Berries left back Daniel Fornito found himself in the front third of the pitch after he ventured forward, before cutting inside his man and unleashing a lethal strike that sailed in Chris Marques’ top corner.
Five minutes later, the Berries doubled their lead thanks to a Gavin Forbes header. A ball came in from the right-hand side, and it was Forbes who leapt higher than the rest to put his header into the back of the net.
The Mariners best chance of the night came when youngster Maki Petratos let fly from the edge of the penalty area in the early stages of the second stanza, his shot looked destined for the bottom corner but it went just wide of the Berries’ goal.
As per usual, Shelford Dais caused trouble down the right as did Peter Kekeris, but they just couldn’t trouble the scorers on a cold night away from home against an experienced Bankstown Berries outfit.
This result now sets up a crucial clash against the Western Sydney Wanderers at Pluim Park this weekend where a win could see the Yellow & Navy leapfrog the Red & Black on the competition table.
Earlier Results
- U18’s DREW 0-0
- U20’s WON Won 7-1
NOTE: The Central Coast Mariners Academy have lodged an application to bring kick-off times for this Saturday’s matches forward by one hour. Expected kick off times are:
U18’s: 12pm
U20’s: 2pm
First grade: 4pm
Opponent: Western Sydney Wanderers Academy
Their ladder position: 4th (31 points)
Our ladder position: 5th (30 points)
Date: Saturday July 29
Venue: Pluim Park, Lisarow
