The Central Coast Mariners Men’s and Boy’s academy sides are back at home this weekend, looking for a good Sunday worth of results as we continue to push through the season.
Off the back of a brilliant 3-1 win over Rockdale Ilinden last weekend, the first grade men’s side will look to extend their undefeated streak to four when they host Sydney United 58.
The five boy’s teams will instead take on APIA Leichhardt at Pluim Park throughout Sunday, with the game being many of the side’s third in just over a week.
First grade vs Sydney United 58
The Central Coast Mariners men’s NPL NSW first grade side will return to Pluim Park this weekend for the first time in over a month, taking on Sydney United 58 on Sunday afternoon.
After playing their two most recent home matches at Industree Group Stadium, the team currently sit on a three-game undefeated streak.
A late equaliser denied the Mariners the three points against St George, before Sydney Olympic were able to come from behind twice to grab a draw.
Third time was certainly the charm for the Mariners, defeating Rockdale Ilinden 3-1 in front of a strong local crowd. Against the odds the side were able to strike three times before the break, holding on for three vital points.
The result pushed the Mariners up into 13th on the ladder at the conclusion of the round, leapfrogging Bulls FC, Western Sydney and Mt Druitt Town.
It has been three weeks since United’s last victory, following consecutive draws against Wollongong Wolves and NWS Spirit. This has not greatly altered the sides position on the ladder, currently residing in fourth place on 21 points.
Sydney will be keen to secure something out of the match as they look to maintain touching distance with league leaders APIA Leichhardt, who currently sit seven points ahead of them.
With kick off scheduled for 3pm on Sunday make sure to either make your way down to Pluim Park to support the side or watch the game on NPL.tv.
Under 20’s vs Sydney United 58
The Mariners under 20’s side will be looking to get back to winning ways on Sunday afternoon, taking on Sydney United 58 at Pluim Park.
A tight 1-0 loss to Rockdale Ilinden broke the Mariners recent unbeaten streak, their first defeat in their previous five matches. Those recent results had pushed the Mariners to within reach of the top of the league, beginning to put pressure on the likes of Marconi Stallions and Rockdale themselves.
The loss did see them fall to fifth place, ten points back on league leaders Marconi, keen to collect some points this weekend.
Sydney United have had a bit more of a difficult start to the 2023 season, currently in 12th after 12 matches. Four wins and eight losses see them sit on 12 competition points, five behind the Mariners.
Inconsistent form is largely to blame for this, with the side bouncing between wins and losses. Over their past four games 4-1 and 4-0 wins over NSW Spirit and Blacktown City were contradicted with a 3-2 loss to Rockdale and a 2-1 loss to Wollongong Wolves.
The match will get underway at 1pm at Pluim Park, so make sure to get down to the grounds and support the side.
Youth Boy’s vs APIA Leichhardt
The Central Coast Mariners youth boy’s teams return to the field for the third time in nine days on Sunday, taking on APIA Leichhardt across the grades.
The day will get underway at 8:30, with the under 13’s keen to secure three important points heading into their 11th game of the season.
A point against Wollongong filled the team with confidence, however the task gets no easier this weekend, facing an undefeated and league leading APIA outfit.
Next up will be the under 14’s at 10:05am, who again face a tough challenge against a strong APIA side. Currently in 11th place after 10 rounds, the team are keen to continue the form that saw them come away with the three points on Tuesday against the Wolves.
The under 15’s only played one game last week, having to be satisfied with a point against Manly United. Still undefeated after nine matches, the team sit in third with a game still in hand, coming up against eighth place APIA on Sunday at 11:40am.
This will be followed by the under 16’s who will be keen to get back to winning ways after two razor thin losses over the past week. 1-0 and 2-1 defeats saw them undeservedly come away with nothing, placing them in ninth on the competition ladder.
Their game this weekend promises to be a tight encounter, with APIA sitting four places and three points behind the Central Coast. The game kicks off at 1:15pm.
The day will be rounded out with the under 18’s, who currently sit in fifth place after 10 matches. Having only lost two games so far this season, with one of them coming in a tough 3-2 loss to Manly.
They face a struggling APIA side who have secured eight points from nine matches, with their game to begin at 3pm.
