22-year-old striker Josh Bingham was rewarded with his first start of the season on Saturday and repaid Paul Okon’s confidence with the opening strike against Perth Glory.
Speaking to media after the team’s first training session of the week, Bingham said he is happy to have taken the opportunity with both hands.
“It was a great feeling,” Bingham said. “As a centre forward it’s always good to score because that’s what you’re out there to do and to contribute to a win, I couldn’t be happier.
“I just wanted to go out there and enjoy every minute and that’s what I did, Roy’s been great this season with eight goals but I was happy to get my own and it was important towards getting three points,” Bingham said.
Despite coming off the bench twice this season, Saturday’s match against Perth was his first start and the Shellharbour born marksman said that staying motivated on the training track is key to being ready for action.
“I’ve been working hard behind the scenes at training, waiting for my opportunity and I was ready when it came,” Bingham said. “I am grateful I did get that opportunity especially in front of the home crowd and a great atmosphere.
“After the game spirits were high, especially after a clean sheet – it was a huge boost for us going into a couple of tough fixtures I think this will revive our season and get us moving towards a few more good results in the coming weeks to make a push towards finals football,” Bingham said.
Roy O’Donovan leads the Golden Boot tally at the Mariners with eight goals to his name and returns from suspension this week. Bingham says that regardless of the role he will play this weekend, he will give it his all.
“Whatever job I’m asked to do for the team I am going to do it to the best of my ability, I’ll give it all I’ve got and that’s the culture we’ve got here,” Bingham said. “Everyone’s working hard for one another every day on the training pitch and on the weekends, there’s nothing more important than doing all you can to get the result.
“We want to go on and make something of the season and I think now we are in a position where we can go and do that,” Bingham said.
The atmosphere at Central Coast Stadium on Saturday night was electric and Bingham said it made all the difference against Perth Glory.
“On a Saturday afternoon for over 7000 fans to come out and create the atmosphere they did, it gives everyone a lift on the field and pushes everyone that little bit extra and in the end, I think that’s what got us across the line,” Bingham said.
At 22-years-of-age, role models and surroundings are key. Bingham said he is learning from O’Donovan every day and he is loving life on the Coast.
“Players like Roy, Monty and Fab bring a lot of experience and are mentors in the dressing room,” Bingham said. “Roy and I do a lot of work on finishing after training. After the career Roy has had and is still having, he brings a wealth of knowledge which is invaluable for a young player like me,” Bingham said.
“The players we have in the dressing room and the mentality we have is great,” Bingham said. “We’ve got a playing style that we’re comfortable with and we can go out and regularly put on good performances so now it’s all about the results which was the most pleasing thing about the game against Perth on the weekend,” Bingham said.
“I’m loving it on the Coast,” Bingham said. “I’m living at Blue Bay, the Mariners is a great place to play football – since I’ve been up here I’ve had nothing but a good experience with coaches, players and fans so this is a great place to ply your trade.” Bingham said.
The Central Coast Mariners will be looking to make up more ground on the top six in Canberra when they take on Adelaide United at GIO Stadium.
Match Details
Hyundai A-League 2016/17 – Round 18
Sunday 5 February 2017
Central Coast Mariners vs. Adelaide United
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Tickets: CLICK HERE
kick-off: 5:00pm (AEDT)
Official hash-tags: #CCMvADL & #CCMFC
TV Broadcast: Fox Sports 505
Radio Broadcast: 96.3 Coast FM & 92.5 ABC Central Coast
The Westfield W-League Semi-Final will be played before the Hyundai A-League action at GIO Stadium. Details are as follows:
Match Details
Westfield W-League Semi Final 2016/17
Sunday 5 February 2017
Canberra United vs. Melbourne City Women
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Tickets: CLICK HERE
kick-off: 2:00pm (AEDT)
Official hash-tags: #CBRvMCY
TV Broadcast: Fox Sports 505
