The Central Coast Mariners’ National Youth League (NYL) side recorded its historic first ever F3 derby triumph yesterday – downing northern rivals the Newcastle Jets 4-2 at EnergyAustralia Stadium.
The Central Coast Mariners- National Youth League (NYL) side recorded its historic first ever F3 derby triumph yesterday – downing northern rivals the Newcastle Jets 4-2 at EnergyAustralia Stadium.
Hyundai A-League striker Nik Mrdja capped his first ninety-minute performance for months with a brace, in addition to strikes from Brady Smith and Greg Owens – Brodie Mooy and Adrian Karakolevski responded for the home side.
The Mariners- fourth win of the NYL season was a fair reward for a dominant yellow and navy display in the Hunter, which has propelled the Mariners above the Jets and into fifth place on the NYL ladder.
Youth international defender Nigel Boogaard returned from injury to bolster the Mariners- backline, while the presence of Owens in midfield and Mrdja up front was elementary to the visitors success.
Smith-s third strike of the campaign after just four minutes continued the outstanding form of the 19-year-old Central Coast product, while defensive mainstay Steven Tibbetts was again impressive at the heart of the Mariners backline.
“It was a very pleasing performance overall, Nik Mrdja was a standout, which was great from a Hyundai A-League and an NYL point of view,” said Mariners NYL Head Coach Alex Tobin after the match.
“Generally our shape was good, we dominated throughout the match and the only disappointing aspect was to dominate the first half so much and still concede two goals.
“It was a good team performance, there were no passengers out there for us – all in all a good day at the office.”
The Mariners- National Youth League campaign continues in the New Year, when the Perth Glory travel to Budgewoi-s Frank Millington Field to face the yellow and navy on Saturday, 3 January. Kick off is at 10.30am and entry to the match is free.
Match Details
Central Coast Mariners 30. Andrew Redmayne (gk) (1. Matthew Nash (gk) 46-), 2. Steven Tibbetts, 7. Matthew Lewis, 8. Nick Kapsis (13. Laurence Braude 57-), 9. Brady Smith (11. Darko Vidovic 61-), 10. Glen Trifiro (6. Ashley Balcomb 59-), 12. Scott Wright, 14. Greg Owens, 15. Nik Mrdja, 16. Nigel Boogaard, 17. Sean Mitchell
Yellow Cards Smith 21′, Mitchell 39′, Boogaard 81′
Red Cards None
Goals Smith 4-, Mrdja 28-, 66-, Owens 62-
Newcastle Jets 1. Jordan Griffiths (gk), 2. Jarrad Ross (9. Ben Martin 59-), 3. Antun Kovacic (15. James Virgili 46-), 4. Jon Griffiths, 5. George Strogylos, 6. Taylor Regan, 7. Brodie Mooy, 8. Shaun Ontong (10. Jesse Pinto 46-), 11. Kaz Patafta, 12. Adrian Karakolevski, 16. Matthew Harper
Yellow Cards Strogylos 59′, Jon Griffiths 61′
Red Cards None
Goals Mooy 31-, Karakolevski 42-
Referee Kris Griffiths-Jones
