Central Coast Mariners Men’s Academy picked up a huge win on Wednesday night, defeating Western Sydney Wanderers at Wanderers Football Park.
Donatien Niyonkuru netted a brace, which earned himself a place in the NPL NSW Team of the Week, whilst there was also goals for Arthur De Lima, Nico Duarte and Prayaag Thapa as the Mariners ran out 5-3 winners in a thrilling game against high-flying opposition.
WSW’s NPL squad boasts plenty of Isuzu UTE A-League experience and it was two of those players with 2023/24 first team appearances to their name, Dylan Scicluna and Marcus Younis, who combined on 11 minutes as Younis latched onto a through ball and slotted home to put the hosts 1-0 up.
The Mariners responded well though and got the equaliser on 28 minutes. Luka Smyth sent Niyonkuru through on goal with a delightful flick around the corner, before the winger took the ball around WSW keeper Lucas Sinnott who could only foul him.
There was no hesitation from referee Kelly Jones who pointed to the spot. Niyonkuru took on the responsibility from 12 yards, confidently converting to put the Mariners back on level terms.
Wanderers threatened before the break but Mariners stopper Jack Warshawsky would be at his best to ensure the game was all square at half time, making two full-stretch saves to deny a Younis header and a low Ryan Devine strike.
Less than two minutes into the second half, the Mariners hit the front. Smyth with more hustling and bustling centre forward play making it difficult for Wanderers to clear before De Lima stole in and calmly slotted home from eight yards but a thrilling second half was only getting started.
This time it would be Wanderers turn to level the scores as Scicluna and Younis again combined to deadly effect, Scicluna with a wicked delivery from the right and Younis volleying home from close range on 55 minutes.
The Mariners again went in search of a quick response, on 57 minutes Taye Hedley worked room for a shot in the box after a weaving run but his curling effort crashed back off the post.
Duarte came off the bench on 65 minutes, still working his way back to his best after an injury-plagued few months and he would have a huge impact on the game.
After less than four minutes on the pitch, he proved too strong for the Wanderers defence and found Niyonkuru, he once again dropped his shoulder and rounded Sinnott before slotting home to restore the Mariners lead.
On 84 minutes the Mariners extended their lead, Smyth was denied by Sinnott at the first attempt but smartly laid the second ball back across to Duarte who hammered in his first goal of the season.
Wanderers threatened a late comeback as Younis crossed for substitute Rushann Tafunai to head home on 89 minutes but the Mariners held their nerve, keeping defensively sound and threatening on the break in a chaotic added time period.
Smyth was denied by Sinnott on 92 minutes and a minute later Evangelos Kalamvokis was shown a red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity, Duarte smashing the resulting free-kick on target but it was saved by Sinnott.
The Mariners were finally able put the game to bed in the 95th minute as Thapa netted the goal of the game, a stunning curler to seal a thrilling three points for Lucas Vilela’s team.
⚽️ Academy Double Header on Sunday
The 5-3 win over Wanderers was perfect preparation for Vilela’s side as they face one of the biggest games of the season, at home to Sydney FC at 3pm on Sunday.
A win would see them leapfrog the Sky Blues on goal difference and potentially jump out of the relegation zone.
Sydney also enter the game with confidence having recorded back-to-back wins, so another high-intensity game is expected on Sunday.
Mariners fans can enter for free at Pluim Park, 3pm kick-off, where they will be treated to an Academy Double Header as our Women’s Academy take on Mt Druitt Town Rangers also at 3pm at Pluim.
