After a tense final day full of twists and turns, Central Coast Mariners Academy will now face off against Bulls Academy for a spot in the 2025 NPL Men’s NSW competition.
The play-off clash will be played over two legs, with Mariners fans welcome to support the team at Pluim Park in the second leg next Friday.
Full fixture details (via Football NSW):
Leg 1:
Bulls FC Academy v Central Coast Mariners
Saturday 31st August
3pm – Sydney United Sports Centre
Leg 2:
Central Coast Mariners v Bulls FC Academy
Friday 6th September
7:30pm – Pluim Park
Preview
The Mariners slipped into the play-off spot after finishing the season with consecutive away defeats, including a final day loss to runaway Premiers Rockdale Ilinden.
However, the team can take confidence from their prior form into this game, Lucas Vilela seeing vast improvement from his squad in the second half of the season.
A key contributor in that period and one to watch in these play-off fixtures is exciting 17-year-old forward Arthur De Lima. He has six First Grade goals so far and was recently rewarded with an A-League scholarship deal.
17-year-old Arthur De Lima signs three-year Mariners scholarship deal
The Bulls just managed to cling on to second spot in NPL NSW League One to qualify for this play off, despite failing to win in their last six matches. Bankstown City piled on the pressure with a strong finish to the season, but missed out by one point.
The one to watch for Bulls is top scorer Flynn Madden (10 goals) but the Mariners’ focus will be on trying to exploit a defence that has conceded 13 goals in their last six games.
🗣 Vilela: “I believe in our team.”
“This playoff is super important for the club. It’s a great opportunity to test the team and keep developing these young men which is our main focus at the club,” Vilela said.
“Training has been intense. We are focussed on getting everything right for these crucial matches. Everyone is putting in the effort to be ready.
“We’re aware of Bulls’ great season, we have watched and analysed their games. They play some good football and have some key players who can really change games but we are confident we can control them.
“The way we have improved in the second half of the season has given us a huge boost of confidence. We can use that to fuel our performance in these playoffs.
“It’s all about carrying that positive momentum forward and showing what we can do. I believe in our team and believe we will get the result that we want.” Vilela added.
