Central Coast Mariners Academy Men extended their fantastic run of form in NPL NSW with an impressive comeback win against St George FC on Sunday afternoon.
The Mariners’ four-game unbeaten run was under threat as they trailed 2-0 after 10 minutes at Pluim Park, but a scintillating comeback, spearheaded by skipper Michael Paragallli, saw Lucas Vilela’s side take all three points.
🔢 Line-Up
Vilela went with an unchanged starting eleven from last weekend’s draw with Sydney Olympic.
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:
46′ ON: Jordan Small OFF: Schumacher
57′ ON: Noah Peacock OFF: Sambrook
65′ ON: Flynn Richards, Harper Ryles OFF: Mow, Mpota
79′ ON: Angus Reid OFF: Taylor
Unused subs: Jared Williams (GK).
First Half
The visitors had a dream start as they raced into a two-goal lead before the 10-minute mark, opening the scoring after three minutes through a long-range stunner from Troy Danaskos.
The second came with a touch of fortune for St George, the ball falling kindly to Bai Antoniou in the box, before his shot deflected past a helpless Joel Wade.
Typically, set pieces are considered to be a kryptonite of young, Academy teams playing against more senior, experienced opponents, but it would be the opposite on this occasion as the Mariners dominated St George and responded with three goals from corners.
The first came on 25 minutes, Mpota directing a bullet header into the top corner after Paragalli did well to retrieve the ball on the left after a corner, before Laurence Taylor delivered back into the box for Mpota.
Just six minutes later, the Mariners levelled it up after a well-worked corner routine. The ball was worked short and back to Taylor who clipped a ball into the run of Jai Rose down the left channel. He lofted a ball to the back post where the initial header was saved, but there was Paragalli to tap home the rebound.
Wade was called into action at the other end, to keep the scores level before half time. First denying Antoniou from close range before denying the St George talisman again on 45 minutes, with a strong hand to keep his curling effort from distance out of the top corner.
Second half
St George keeper Mackenzie Syron came up with a big save to deny Rose from a tight angle on 58 minutes, before Jordan Small was denied on the rebound by a sea of St George defenders who threw themselves in the way.
Rose was clearly determined to continue his fine form of late, as he unleashed a powerful shot on 64 minutes, but it flew just the wrong side of Syron’s post.
The Mariners hit the front for the first time in the game on 68 minutes and again it was a set piece that undid St George as Harrison Jablonski’s in-swinging delivery caused problems. Syron kept the ball out with a diving save initially, but Paragalli was on the spot again like a striker, to tap home the rebound.
Wade’s biggest save of the game came on 76 minutes as he got the better of Antoniou in a one-on-one after a quick counter attack from St George.
The Mariners wrapped the game up on 84 minutes with a well worked goal, Rose involved again as he opened up St George with a clever pass, Harper Ryles latched onto it in the box and squared it to his fellow substitute Noah Peacock who turned the ball home, a classy goal to wrap up the win.
▶️ Highlights
Watch the full highlights here, thanks to Football NSW.
🏡 Next Up
The home run for Vilela’s side continues on Sunday (3pm kick-off) as Sydney FC Academy visit Pluim Park, with the Mariners looking to make it six unbeaten and take another step towards NPL NSW safety.
Entry to all academy matches at Pluim Park is FREE, so head down to support the Mariners’ next generation!
