The Central Coast Mariners Men’s and Boy’s academies return this weekend, with our sides playing host across both Saturday and Sunday.
The Men’s team’s scheduled to face off against Mt Druitt Town Rangers, with kick off at 1pm and 3pm at Pluim Park.
Instead, the boys will play against Sydney FC in all youth age groups. The first match of the day beginning at 8:30am, with the final game starting at 3pm. All fixtures will take place on field 2 of Pluim Park.
First Grade vs Mt Druitt Town Rangers
Coming off the back of a tough 3-1 loss to Sydney FC last Sunday night, the Mariners academy first grade side are looking to bounce back with a victory.
Standing in their way are Mt Druitt Town Rangers, who themselves are looking to return to winning ways.
For the vast majority of the Mariners match last weekend they were the better side, dominating the proceedings.
An 80th minute penalty and a last minute goal the difference, with Abbas Saad’s men ready for Sunday’s challenge.
The team have so far secured five points, including a win over NWS Spirit a fortnight ago. Mt Druitt Rangers sit one place and a point lower in 14th, coming off the back of a draw with Spirit.
Following a two-week Sydney road trip, the Mariners finally return to Pluim Park on Sunday, determined to pick up our first home victory of the season.
With kick off scheduled for 3pm, be sure to head town to the ground and catch all of the action.
If you are unable to make it to the match, tune into the live and free stream at NPL.tv at 3pm.
Under 20’s vs Mt Druitt Town Rangers
It has been a stop-start campaign for the Mariners under 20’s side, winning three of a possible six games this season.
Having defeated Sydney FC 3-1 last weekend, the team are looking to secure their first back-to-back wins of the campaign.
Our opponents, Mt Druitt, have been unable to record a win in their past three matches, sliding down the ladder of late after starting the season with two victories in three games.
A late goal from NWS Spirit was enough to deny them the full points last weekend.
Only two places on the competition ladder separate the sides, with the Mariners currently in eighth on nine points. Rangers are two places and one point behind, sitting in 10th.
Expect an intriguing contest at Pluim Park on Sunday, with kick off scheduled for 1pm on Sunday.
Youth Boys vs Sydney FC
The Mariners youth boys academy is back on Saturday, facing off against Sydney FC in a battle of the academies. All five of our sides looking to push for three points, as we begin to enter the mid part of the season.
The under 13’s kick off at 8:30am, having secured their first win of 2023 last weekend. Sydney FC currently sit third in that division, with the match promising to be a tough contest for our side.
Our under 14’s kick off next, with play set to commence at 10:05am. The team also secured their first victory of the season last weekend, aiming to make it two in a row. In their way stand a tough Sydney side, who are currently third on the competition ladder.
Next will be the under 15’s at 11:40am, who have had an extremely strong start to the 2023 season. Undefeated and having conceded just two goals in four matches, the side currently sit in second place. Sydney FC have struggled in this age group, currently 12th with just one win.
The under 16’s will begin at 1:15pm, looking to grab their second three points of the season. In 13th after four matches played, it will be a tough game against fourth place Sydney FC at Pluim Park.
Our under 18’s round out the day, in what promises to be an incredible contest. The Mariners are fifth in the division, losing just once across the four rounds so far. Sydney FC on the other hand is undefeated in first on the ladder. Expect a fierce match up when play begins at 3pm.
