The Central Coast Mariners Women’s and Girl’s Academy sides are back this weekend, set to take to the fields of Pluim Park for the first time this season.
After having their only other set of fixtures at home this season rained out, the teams have played all of their five matches away from Pluim Park to commence 2023.
Despite this, teams across all age groups have been in strong form, aiming to continue this in front of our home fans against UNSW FC this weekend.
First Grade vs UNSW FC
The Central Coast Mariners women’s academy first grade side made it a perfect five from five to start the season last weekend, defeating the formerly undefeated Hills United 1-0 away from home.
It was a Chloe Smith goal that got the side the three points, her fourth in two matches, while a third clean sheet of the campaign secured the result.
It does not get any easier for the team this weekend, coming up against second placed UNSW FC at Pluim Park on Sunday afternoon. Two of only three undefeated sides to begin the season, the winner of the match will move up into outright first.
Since picking up a few draws in the early part of the season, UNSW FC have won their last three matches, including a tight 2-1 victory over St George FC last weekend.
The match will get underway at Pluim Park Field 3 at 3pm, with the game also available to be live streamed on NPL.TV.
Under 20’s vs UNSW FC
The under 20’s side will be back in action for the third time in eight days on Sunday afternoon, having played a catchup game mid-week.
After a tough 2-0 loss to Hills United last weekend the team were able to bounce back, with goals to Savannah Murray and Rachel Glendenning seeing the team secure the three points. Currently in eighth place with a game still in hand, the team have a tough task this weekend.
They face off against the undefeated UNSW FC, who have come away with four consecutive victories. Last weekend’s win was the team’s most comprehensive, putting seven past Mt Druitt Town Rangers in a 7-2 victory.
After a long stretch away from home the side are keen to finally grace the fields of Pluim Park, with the team looking to climb their way up the ladder by handing the away side their first loss of the season.
The Mariners under 20’s women’s team will kick off at 1:05pm on Field 3 at Pluim Park.
Youth Girl’s vs UNSW FC
The Central Coast Mariners Youth Girl’s sides are aiming to continue their brilliant start to the season as they return to Pluim Park for the first time in 2023 on Sunday.
The morning will begin with the under 14’s team, who are coming off the back of three consecutive convincing wins.
This has pushed the side up to seventh on the competition ladder, just a place above this weekend’s opponents. UNSW FC most recently lost 2-0 to league leaders St George, with kick off at 8:20am.
The under 15’s are keen to get back to winning ways after a tight 1-0 defeat at the hands of Hills United last weekend.
Currently in third, just a place behind UNSW FC, a win could put them in equal first with a game still in hand. The away side are fresh off a 2-0 midweek win over St George, with kick off scheduled for 9:55am.
Our under 16’s side are looking to continue their incredible form to start the season, having gone five from five so far in 2023.
This included a 6-1 mid-week win over Nepean FC, rocketing them up to first place on the competition ladder despite still having a game in hand. Their opponents currently sit in seventh place off the back of a 1-all draw with Mt Druitt, with the game to get underway at 11:25am.
