Mariners academy was welcomed home in style with all but one team collecting maximum points in some thrilling showings of demolition from our sides.
Men’s:
The youth boys kicked off the weekend against Sutherland Sharks FC and got right into business.
13’s (3-2), 14’s (2-0), 15’s (1-0) led from the front for the full 90’ to take home the three points, while the 18’s captured an astounding 6-0 victory to cap off Saturday’s fixtures.
Unfortunately, 16’s (1-3) couldn’t scrape away with any points despite putting in a good shift the entire match.
The senior men’s sides made their return to Pluim Park on Sunday, and for first grade, sure made it one to remember.
20’s comeback to Pluim was delayed for another date with Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC forfeiting the match and the result marked as a 3-0 victory.
First grade wanted to prove their rightful positioning at the top of the ladder and did so through a quickfire second half brace from Dor Jok.
Bonnyrigg were coming off two straight victories and were out for homecoming spoils and they held much of the early pressure in the contest and would be that until the half time whistle blew.
Second half brought many a chance from both sides, before Jok opened the scoring in the 61st minute, combining with Lachlan Bayliss to finish from close range.
Jok added to the tally five minutes later to extend the Mariners lead after being on the other end of a Harry McCarthy header across the face.
The visitors continued to mount the pressure for the remainder, though couldn’t pierce the brute force of the Mariners defence.
Coach Andrew Christiansen credited his side’s performance both in attack and defence, still holding the belief they are in control of the league.
“Really happy with the performance, I thought we nullified their threats really well and created a lot of good chances for ourselves,” said Christiansen.
“We’ll continue to work on scoring more goals, but we’re still in control and plan to stay there.”
The result keeps Christiansen’s men at the top, tied with previous opponents St George City, and will venture south to take on Mounties Wanderers.
Women’s:
Carrying on from Saturday’s efforts, the women’s sides continued the onslaught at home against Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC on Sunday.
Beginning with the youth teams, 14’s (3-0), 15’s (4-0), and 16’s (3-1), lifted the excitement levels of spectators as they ran riot with only one goal conceded throughout all youth fixtures.
Heading into the senior department, and they sure took full advantage of the home crowd behind them in some results you don’t see every day.
20’s kicked off Sunday afternoon with their searing attacking form on full throttle, leading at the break 4-0 and going on to win 8-0.
Indianna Asimus tallied a hattrick, while Skye Parkes capped off the match with a quick-fire brace to put them into sixth place.
First grade proceeded to post a 7-0 score line shortly after in a victory that boosted their goal difference entering the later stages of the season.
Chloe Smith led the ruthless Mariner’s up top, wreaking havoc on Mt Druitt’s backline to score a hattrick – including a goal within the first 60 seconds.
Emily Garret, Indianna Audino, Mia McFarlane, and Rachel Glendenning culminated the remaining goals for Peter Preston’s side, who was a happy man with his not only his side’s efforts, but the oppositions too.
“Girls played really well and controlled the game,” said Preston.
“Credit to the opposition, they kept going to the end.”
The result puts first-grade back into finals contention in sixth place with plenty more football still to be played.
