It was a mixed weekend of results for the Central Coast Mariners Men’s and Boy’s Academy sides, as we came up against Marconi and Wollongong.
After losses in the under 13’s and 14’s, the Mariners won the three remaining boy’s age groups. Our under 20’s secured a 3-all draw with a late equaliser, while the first grade side fell 3-0.
First Grade vs Wollongong Wolves
Coming off the back of a tough result last weekend, the Mariners NPL NSW Men’s team travelled to Wollongong to face the Wolves.
It was an even opening to the match, with the Mariners having the best of the opening chances. Wollongong begun to turn the tides at the half hour mark, taking the lead off some sloppy corner defence.
Jake Trew getting on the end of a strong save from Anthony Pavlesic, heading it into the back of the net from three yards in the 31st minute.
The home side going into the break with a 1-0 lead, with the game still firmly in the balance.
After an even opening 10 minutes, Trew struck again for the Wolves, getting his second of the game. The striker finding the top corner from just inside the penalty area, extending the home sides lead to two.
The Mariners almost got one back in the 63rd minute through Joshua Hong, with the midfielder heading over from six yards off a corner.
Substitute Takiumi Ofuka sealed the result, scoring in the 82nd minute, his strike finding the bottom right corner to give the Wolves a 3-0 win.
Under 20’s vs Wollongong Wolves
Coming off two consecutive victories, the Central Coast Mariners under 20’s side came up against the Wollongong Wolves.
An even opening 45 minutes saw the scores locked at nil-all, with neither side able to score the go-ahead goal.
From then it became a goal fest, with Thomas Dunn of the Wolves scoring the matches first in the 51st minute.
Matej Busek got the Mariners an equaliser in the 54th minute, before Sami Benten gave the home side the lead again only one minute later.
The Central Coast equalised in the 77th minute through Jakov Malbasa, with Benten getting his second in the 80th to give the Wolves a 3-2 advantage.
Substitute Mohamed Bility secured the Mariners a point in the 83rd minute, finding the back of the net for a well-deserved goal. The final score ending 3-all in an action-packed match.
Youth Boy’s vs Marconi Stallions
The Mariners came up against Marconi at CSI Club on Saturday, playing five matches, the first starting at 8:30am in the morning.
The under 13’s fell to a tough loss, heading into the break 3-0 down. An extra goal in the second period seeing the match end 4-0.
Our under 14’s side also suffered a difficult defeat, unable to overpower Marconi. 2-0 at the break turned into 3-0 at full time, looking to bounce back next weekend.
The first win of the day came in the under 15’s, with the side pulling out a spirited result. Tied nil-all at the break, Central Coast secured a 2-1 victory after a strong second half.
The result keeping our perfect streak intact, sitting three points ahead of the Wanderers in first.
Off the back of a tough 4-1 defeat last weekend, the under 16’s bounced back in style, recording a 4-1 victory of their own.
A tight first half saw the score at 2-1 at the break, before scoring two unanswered goals in the second period. The result well deserved, their second win of the season.
The day ended with our under 18’s recording the biggest win of the day, coming away 6-1 winners. Leading 2-0 at the break, the Mariners put Marconi away comfortably, scoring four goals in the second 45 minutes.
The result placing the Mariners in fourth on the ladder, as a part of a close race for first.
