Central Coast Mariners Academy are now four matches unbeaten in the NPL NSW, after a hard-earned draw with Sydney Olympic at Pluim Park on Sunday.
16-year-old Shumba Mutokoyi struck the all-important equaliser after Teng Kuol had opened the scoring for Olympic from the penalty spot.
The point sees Lucas Vilela’s side jump above Western Sydney Wanderers Academy into 14th, with seven matches remaining.
🔢 Line-Up
Starting XI: Joel Wade (GK), Michael Paragalli, Ayouk Mow, Jai Rose, Logan Sambrook, Muginga Mpota, Shumba Mutokoyi, Laurence Taylor, Kye Schumacher, Max Miller, Harrison Jablonkski.
Substitutions:
59′ ON: Jesse Mantell, Ty McKibbin OFF: Mow, Taylor
82′ ON: Noah Peacock OFF: Sambrook
91′ ON: Jordan Small OFF: Rose
Unused subs: Angus Reid, Jared Williams (GK).
First Half
The visitors had the better of the first half chances with Cyrus Dehmie heavily involved, but Olympic’s top scorer was unable to find the back of the net.
His first chance came on 24 minutes as he glanced a header wide from Adam Parkhouse’s dangerous cross, Dylan Ruiz-Diaz then saw a shot smartly saved from Joel Wade minutes later.
Wade’s best save of the game denied Dehmie on the stroke of half time as the Olympic number nine powered into a one-on-one position before being denied by the feet of Wade.
Second half
An eventful second half began with Olympic coming out on the front foot, Connor O’Toole bringing Wade into action again with a dipping volley from range.
The introduction of Ty McKibbin on 59 minutes gave the Mariners some real energy in midfield, he was involved straight away as he stole possession in the middle third and drove forward before finding Rose, whose drilled shot from range whistled just past the post.
Just as they were growing into the game, the Mariners were dealt a blow on 63 minutes as Olympic were awarded a penalty for what looked to be an extremely harsh handball decision, as a low Parkhouse cross rebounded up off Wade’s feet and struck Michael Paragalli.
Teng Kuol, brother of former Mariners duo Alou and Garang, stepped up and buried the spot-kick. Wade dived the right way but there was no stopping a well struck penalty as Kuol grabbed his fifth of the season for Olympic.
The Mariners responded well though as they went in hunt of an equaliser. On 72 minutes, McKibbin saw a shot deflected over after a smart cutback from Rose.
The equaliser would come minutes later, Kye Schumacher’s corner was partially cleared by Olympic before McKibbin drilled an effort back towards goal, it was blocked but fell to Mutokoyi whose effort crashed down off the underside of the bar and crucially, over the line.
As a scramble continued, Rose hit the post from close range and in the midst of the goalmouth chaos, the linesman flagged to signal a goal which was awarded for Mutokoyi’s initial effort, a first NPL goal for the 16-year-old defender.
Seth Clark dragged a shot wide from the edge of the box on 77 minutes, before an Olympic corner caused a scramble at the other end, but Schumacher got himself in a great position to make a crucial block on the line.
In the late stages it was the Mariners in the ascendency, with substitute Noah Peacock looking lively. He glanced a header towards goal from a Rose free-kick on 89 minutes but Jack Gibson made a smart save, before he fired a vicious effort just over in added time.
With neither side able to force a winner, the spoils were shared after an entertaining battle at Pluim Park, making it four matches unbeaten for the Mariners whilst Olympic missed out on the opportunity to leapfrog Sydney United 58.
▶️ Highlights
Watch the full highlights here, thanks to Football NSW.
🔎 Players in Focus
Mutokoyi has been quietly impressing at the back in his maiden First Grade season but stepped into the spotlight this week, grabbing the headlines with his first senior goal.
A star player in recent weeks, Rose was once again noticed for another strong performance as he was named in the NPL NSW Team of the Week for the third time in the last four weeks, whilst he was also named the league’s Midfielder of the Month earlier last week.
Congratulations to Jai Rose who has been named @NPLNSW Midfielder of the Month for June! 🌟
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) July 11, 2025
🔥 A stellar month for the 17-year-old saw him score two stunning goals and register three assists in five games.
Keep up the great work, Jai! 💪#CCMFC | @aleaguemen pic.twitter.com/vfLRTS3fZc
🏡 Next Up
The home run for Vilela’s side continues this weekend, 12th-placed St. George are the visitors as the Mariners look to make it five unbeaten.
Entry to all academy matches at Pluim Park is FREE, so head down to support the Mariners’ next generation!
