If you’re looking for a football fix this Sunday, Pluim Park will be hosting both Academy sides. The women will be looking to finish the season off with style and head into the finals with a high as they host UNSW FC while the men look to keep their slim finals hopes alive as Mounties Wanderers come to do battle.
Central Coast Mariners Academy Women vs. UNSW FC
After securing back-to-back finals appearances last week, Dan Barrett’s side will be wanting to end the regular season on another high as UNSW FC come to visit.
After a difficult start to the season for girls due to injury and illness which saw them in the bottom half of the NPL 2 table, the squad was able to achieve an amazing 9 wins out of 13 games which skyrocketed them up the ladder and the Club Championship. Talisman Danielle Wise has been a sensation this season with 28 goals in 21 games and in reach of the 2019 Golden Boot. Her work alongside captain Gabrielle Blanch and Jade Mcatamney have made it a memorable run to the finals. The women have secured fifth place in both the NPL 2 table and the Club Championship no matter what the result is come Sunday.
It’s been a long season for UNSW FC; however, the side has managed to pick up more points in the second half of the season with three wins since the end of May. The squad does host a couple of players that can trouble the Mariners defence with Alexandra O’Rourke being the standout as she has scored eight goals this season. UNSW will be wanting to end this season on a high and look to put a stain on the Mariners’ good fortunes.
It was a 3-0 victory for Dan Barrett’s side earlier this season with Gabrielle Blanch, Jade Mcatamney and Danielle Wise all finding the back of the net.
A positive run of results could see all FIVE women’s academy teams playing finals football!
Last week’s academy side: Rhiannon Hines (GK), Gabrielle Blanch (c), Leisel Collins, Nina Collins, Jade Mcatamney, Mia Mcfarlane, Kaitlin Murphy, Elizabeth Shorter, Iona Snape, Mikala Tucker, Danielle Wise
Match Details
Sunday, 4 August 2019
NSW NPL 2 Women’s Round 22
Match: Central Coast Mariners Academy Women vs. UNSW FC
Venue: Pluim Park, Lisarow
Kick Off: 3:00pm
Central Coast Mariners Academy vs. Mounties Wanderers
It’s the business end of the Men’s NPL 2 season and Nick Montgomery’s side still have a chance of making the finals however, they face a difficult challenge as the men play hosts to an inform Mounties Wanderers team.
The men will be coming into this fixture full of confidence after their dramatic 4-4 draw to Hills United last week. Nick Montgomery will be wanting Matthew Cahill to pick up where he left off last week, after being promoted from the U20’s academy side. The last four games of the season are all crucial for the yellow and navy and any slip up could cost the team a potential finals appearance. The men do sit in fifth place on the Club Championship table with Hills United just a point below them.
Mounties arrive to Pluim Park having only lost once in their last six matches, making them one of the form teams of the competition. Mounties are stacked with goal scorers with five players having scored 6 or more goals this season. The danger man for the visiting side is striker Sean Rooney who has netted 8 times this season. A win for Mounties could put them up to third on the table and within breathing space of the top two.
Nick Montgomery will be looking for a repeat of the reverse fixture with the men’s Academy taking all three points away from home in a 3-2 win.
Match Details
Sunday, 4 August 2019
NSW NPL 2 Round 23
Match: Central Coast Mariners Academy vs. Mounties Wanderers
Venue: Pluim Park, Lisarow
Kick Off: 3:00pm
